W.A. Moore US 26244 (Wm. Moore)

Explore the wreck of the W.A. Moore, a wooden steam tug that succumbed to a coal bunker fire in 1891 while docked in Cleveland.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: W.A. Moore
  • Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
  • Year Built: 1865
  • Builder: J. Jones
  • Dimensions: 119 × 21 × 11 ft — 212 gross / 149 net tons
  • Registered Tonnage: 212 gross / 149 net tons
  • Location: Cleveland, Ohio, near Willow Street bridge on the Cuyahoga River
  • Official Number: 26 244

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller steam tug, typical of mid-19th-century tugs, designed for harbor operations and swift transfers.

Description

The W.A. Moore was a wooden tugboat built in 1865, measuring 119 feet in length, 21 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. It was powered by a steam engine and had a single screw propulsion system.

History

Launched in 1865, the W.A. Moore served as a harbor tug, assisting freighters and barges. It was involved in a notable incident in June 1871 when it sank in a squall in Saginaw Bay but was salvaged and returned to service.

Significant Incidents

  • June 1871: Sank in a squall in Saginaw Bay but was salvaged and returned to service.
  • 6 July 1891: Suffered a coal bunker fire while docked in Cleveland, leading to severe damage and never returning to service.

Final Disposition

The W.A. Moore was burned out due to a coal bunker fire and was never repaired, marking the end of its service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the W.A. Moore is not accessible as it was destroyed by fire and never returned to service.

Resources & Links

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The W.A. Moore remains a significant historical vessel, illustrating the challenges faced by maritime operations in the late 19th century.

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