Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: William S. Bull
• Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
• Year Built: 1861
• Builder: Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 16 tons
• Location: Approximately 40 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania
• Coordinates: Approximately 40 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania
• Official Number: none

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The William S. Bull was a wooden steam tug designed for towing and assisting larger vessels, particularly in the busy waters of Lake Erie.

Description

The William S. Bull was a wooden steam tug built in 1861 in Buffalo, New York. With a tonnage of 16 tons, it was a relatively small vessel, designed for towing and assisting larger ships, particularly on the busy waters of Lake Erie. The steam tug was a crucial component of the maritime industry during the mid-19th century, providing essential services such as towing canal boats, barges, and other vessels, especially in harbors and narrow channels.

History

On August 22, 1863, the William S. Bull was bound from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Buffalo, New York, accompanied by the tug G.W. Gardner and the canal boat M.E. Paine. During the voyage, the vessels encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The small steam tug struggled against the storm’s intensity and eventually became waterlogged. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the William S. Bull foundered approximately 40 miles east of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Fortunately, there were no casualties as a result of the sinking. The crew of the William S. Bull was rescued by the G.W. Gardner and the M.E. Paine, demonstrating the camaraderie and quick action typical among sailors during such perilous situations. However, the tug was lost to the depths of Lake Erie, with no efforts made to recover the vessel.

Significant Incidents

• Foundered on August 22, 1863, during a severe storm on Lake Erie.
• No casualties reported; crew rescued by accompanying vessels.

Final Disposition

The William S. Bull remains on the lakebed, unrecovered and largely unknown in terms of condition or location. The wreck serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels on the Great Lakes.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck likely remains on the lakebed, unrecovered and largely unknown in terms of condition or location.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The sinking of the William S. Bull in 1863 is a reminder of the constant dangers faced by even the most robust vessels on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s crew, fortunately rescued, survived to tell the tale, but the tug itself remains on the lakebed, a silent witness to the power of Lake Erie’s storms.