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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-a-moore-us-26244-wm-moore” title=”References & Links”]
The W.A. Moore remains a significant historical vessel, illustrating the challenges faced by maritime operations in the late 19th century.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: W. A. Moore
- Other Names: None (sometimes listed as Wm. A. Moore)
- Official Number: 26 244
- Years Active: Launched 1865 – lost 6 July 1891
- Build Location: Detroit, MI (builder: J. Jones)
- Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
- Dimensions: 119 × 21 × 11 ft — 212 gross / 149 net tons
- Final Disposition: Burned while docked
- Location of Loss: Cleveland, Ohio, near Willow Street bridge on the Cuyahoga River
- Cause of Loss: Coal bunker fire
- Date of Incident: 6 July 1891
- Human Casualties: None reported (all hands escaped)
Vessel Specifications
- Hull: Wooden, full-depth – typical of mid‑19th-century tugs
- Propulsion: Steam-powered single-screw
- Role: Harbor tug/swift transfer vessel, likely aiding freighters and barges
- Notable Survivals: Previously sank in a squall in Saginaw Bay (June 1871) and returned to service under her own power (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)
Incident Description
On 6 July 1891, W. A. Moore was moored at her dock near the Willow Street bridge in Cleveland. A fire broke out in her coal bunkers—reportedly due to spontaneous combustion during hot weather. Although reports initially described moderate damage, the vessel was severely compromised by fire and never returned to service (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“M” listing for W. A. Moore) detailing build specs, fire at dock near Willow Street, and outcome (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Historical collision survivor anecdotes confirm her return to service post‑1871 squall, showcasing her resilience
Keywords & Categories
- Region: Cleveland, Ohio (Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie)
- Vessel Type: Wooden steam tug
- Loss Cause: Spontaneous coal‑bunker fire
- Human Toll: None
- Build Date: 1865
- Loss Date: 6 July 1891
- Fate: Docked fire — burnt out, never repaired