Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Warnick (originally T.M. Moore)
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven tug
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: Union Dry Dock, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 51 ft × 14 ft × 7 ft; ~24 gross / 16 net register tons
- Registered Tonnage: 145222
- Location: Dunkirk, NY (home port), Lake Erie
- Official Number: 145222
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Warnick was originally built as the tug T.M. Moore in 1880. It was a wooden propeller-driven tugboat, primarily used for trade in Lake Erie.
Description
The Warnick measured 51 feet in length, 14 feet in beam, and had a depth of 7 feet. It had a registered tonnage of approximately 24 gross tons and 16 net tons. The vessel operated out of Dunkirk, New York.
History
Constructed in 1880 at Union Dry Dock in Buffalo, NY, the vessel was initially named T.M. Moore and was renamed Warnick in 1899. The tug was involved in various operations on Lake Erie.
Significant Incidents
- Prior incidents of fire were reported in 1898 and 1910, but only the 1913 fire resulted in total loss.
Final Disposition
On 5 September 1913, while moored in Dunkirk, the Warnick caught fire and burned to the waterline, resulting in a total loss. The vessel was not salvaged and was declared a total wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck remains unsalvaged and has not been rediscovered. No modern documentation of the wreck has been reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”warnick-us-145222-t-m-moore” title=”References & Links”]
The Warnick serves as a reminder of the risks faced by wooden vessels in the early 20th century. While the crew survived the fire, the vessel itself was lost entirely. Historical records may provide further insights into its operational history and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
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.
(built 1880 – lost 5 September 1913)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Warnick (originally built as tug T. M. Moore, renamed Warnick in 1899)
- Official Registry Number: 145222
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven tug
- Built: 1880 at Union Dry Dock, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 51 ft × 14 ft × 7 ft; ~24 gross / 16 net register tons
- Home Port: Dunkirk, New York (operated in Lake Erie trade) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, chautauqua.nygenweb.net)
Final Voyage & Loss
- On 5 September 1913, while located in her home port of Dunkirk, Warnick caught fire and burned to the waterline
- The vessel was utterly destroyed by the blaze, deemed a total loss
- Crew and passengers: No loss of life reported; fire occurred while moored or nearshore, giving personnel opportunity to escape safely (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Cause & Disposition
- Type of loss: Fire—origin likely internal (engine room or fuel ignition) typical for wooden tugs
- Burned to the waterline and abandoned; remains unsalvaged, later taken over by underwriters as a total wreck
- Vessel had experienced prior losses by fire in other years (1898, 1910), likely the same hull reused under same or similar name—but only the 1913 event involved complete destruction (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, youtube.com)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Warnick (formerly T. M. Moore) |
| Official No. | 145222 |
| Built | 1880, Buffalo, NY |
| Type | Wooden propeller tug |
| Dimensions | 51×14×7 ft; ~24 GRT / 16 NRT |
| Loss Date | 5 September 1913 |
| Location | Dunkirk, NY (home port), Lake Erie |
| Cause of Loss | Fire – burned to waterline |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Final Disposition | Burned wreck declared total loss; not salvaged |
| Modern Rediscovery | None documented |
Research Notes & Gaps
- Crew identity and specific fire cause remain undocumented in secondary sources.
- Insurance claim files, port ledgers, or fire department reports from Dunkirk may hold investigative details.
- The vessel’s earlier incidents in 1890 and 1898 open the possibility she had been repaired and reused before final destruction; ownership continuity remains unclear.
Conclusion
Warnick was a small wooden tug built in 1880, operating out of Dunkirk, NY on Lake Erie. On 5 September 1913, she caught fire and burned to the waterline in her home port. Although the crew survived, the vessel was lost entirely and declared a total wreck. No salvage operation or underwater rediscovery has been reported. Historical sources note prior fire incidents involving this hull, but only the 1913 fire resulted in complete loss.
If you’d like help exploring fire department logs, local newspaper archives (Dunkirk Observer, Fredonia Censor), underwriters’ loss records, or technical registry files for prior rebuilds, I can assist with constructing target queries.
warnick-us-145222-t-m-moore 1913-09-05 15:32:00