SUNKEN HISTORY — A Diver's Journal
The Sinking of the Tug Tawas
by Capt. Deb Biniecki

In the late 1800s the shipping lanes were the highways of today, moving lumber, coal, grain and other products throughout the settlements along the Great Lakes. Shipwrecks were frequent with groundings, foundering, collisions and fires ending the careers of numerous vessels. Since steam-operated vessels first churned their way across the Great Lakes in 1817, boiler explosions became a common occurrence, often killing many aboard. It wasn't until 1838 that Congress passed legislation requiring steam-powered vessels to have their boilers inspected every six months and their hulls inspected annually. Passenger vessels also were required to comply with safety precautions, including hiring an engineer and having life boats and firefighting equipment on board. This legislation resulted in the Steamboat Inspection Service, a precursor to the Coast Guard.

Unfortunately, the boiler inspection laws of the time did not save the tug Tawas. Boiler explosions were often the result of poorly constructed boilers or human error. In her case it was a likely combination of both. The tug Tawas was built by Myron Williams in Vicksburg in 1864. She was 95 feet in length with an 18 and a half foot beam. The tug had two engines from an old tug and a new boiler. She had a strong, well-built hull. However, there was always some doubt as to the strength of her boiler. She was owned by Williams for two years and then sold to Captain Hugh McGraw of Port Huron and Eugene Smith of St. Clair. Captain McGraw used her for three years and then sold her to Robinson and Woodruff. Captain James C. Robinson of Port Huron finally bought three quarters interest and Mary Crawford, also of Port Huron, bought the other fourth.

It was competitive business for the tug boat operators to get schooners to tow. It was 3:30 in the morning on Thursday, May 14, 1874, when Captain Robinson, spotting the schooner Zach Chandler several miles off shore, motored off toward her. The lake was churning as he came up alongside the Chandler. He offered the second mate, who was on watch at the time, a tow. The mate declined, but Captain Robinson persisted, suggesting that he would see the Captain about a tow.

That cold and windy spring morning the lake was not cooperating as the crew aboard the tug went about their duties. While the Captain negotiated with the crew of the Chandler topside, Johnny Hock, a deckhand on the tug, warmed himself in the engine room. He heard steam escaping from the safety valve and saw that there was 80 pounds of steam. He was concerned that no one was working her in order to reduce the pressure. The tug was rolling and pitching so badly, he was afraid that a barrel of oil in the engine room might topple over on him. He looked at the clock in the engine room before leaving. It was 20 minutes to four. He went to the door and propped himself against it to steady himself. Just then the boiler exploded. He was knocked flat on the deck and could feel the wreckage and debris flying over him. When he got up he was covered with oil and grime from the firebox and was badly shaken, but otherwise uninjured.

Chaos ensued on both vessels. The officer on deck of the Chandler was instantly killed when he was struck in the head by a piece of cord wood blown from the Tawas. The explosion demolished the rigging and sails of the Chandler. Since the Chandler was under sail at the time, she continued drifting off for quite a distance. The tug started to sink almost immediately.

Johnny Hock saw the engineer of the tug, William Hand, coming up from the aft section of the tug. They spoke briefly. Fearful that they would be sucked down in the whirlpool of the quickly sinking tug, they jumped in the frigid water and swam to a piece of wreckage. Soon after, they saw mate James Lynn in the distance. The explosion sent him through the rigging of the Chandler and he had to swim a long way but finally joined them on the wreckage.

The men clung to their piece of wreckage as the seas raged. As they rose on the crest of a wave they spotted a man floating on some wood. They called to him asking, "Who are you?"

He replied, "I'm the Captain; for God's sake boys, help me."

They called back to him to 'make for' them as they knew him to be a good swimmer.

He answered back, "Oh God; I can't, I can't."

Moments later he disappeared. The crew believed that he must have been hurt as he should have been able to reach them if he was uninjured. Before long two other crew members joined them, Frank Ray, the wheelsman from Port Huron and Maggie Beach the cook, also from Port Huron. The wheelsman was fastened to the sinking tug and had to rip off some of his clothing to free himself. He was uninjured but in shock. The cook was badly bruised and shaken and had to be helped onto the wreckage.

Missing from their crew were the two firemen who were in the engine room at the time, Thomas Connors and James McIntyre; the lookout Dennis Burrou; the second engineer Robert Dyson and Captain Robinson. For over two hours the battered castaways, freezing and exhausted, clung for their lives to what was left of their tug.

Meanwhile, as order was restored on the sailing vessel Zach Chandler, they were able to lower the boats and put off toward the wreckage. The saved spoke in high praise of the kindness and care from the Chandler's crew who worked long and hard in heavy seas to bring them to safety.

Later that day the tug Lyons, with the schooner, Chandler in tow, brought the tug's crew to Port Huron. Both vessels were flying their flags at half mast when they landed at McMorran's wharf. They were greeted by several hundred people that had gathered at the docks. Being that the tug and most of the crew were from Port Huron added to the interest and excitement of the day.

Lake Huron continues to guard the secret of the tug's location. The remains of Tawas have not been found. It is believed that she lies somewhere off Rock Falls below Harbor Beach several miles off shore.

If you would like to contact Capt. Deb with any ideas, feedback, or information regarding shipwreck stories, please contact her through Huron Explorations at 810-648-4638 or e-mail at fathoms@greatlakes.net. SCUBA diving charters can also be arranged through the above contact information.