Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type Description

The Bob Anderson was a wooden steam Tugboat, built to tow log rafts and assist vessels across the Great Lakes. Equipped with a 375-horsepower high-pressure steam engine, the Tug was a powerful and reliable workhorse in the lumber industry. Tugs like the Bob Anderson were essential for navigating cumbersome timber rafts through the lakes and rivers, ensuring the steady supply of lumber to industries and communities during the 19th century.

History

The Bob Anderson was launched in 1862, built by Ira Lafrinier in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed to withstand the demanding conditions of the Great Lakes, the Tug had a long and varied career spanning several decades.

Operational Highlights:

  • Early Service: Initially owned by the Winslow family, the Bob Anderson primarily towed log rafts, a critical task during the height of the lumber trade.
  • Incidents and Repairs:
    • St. Clair River Cylinder Failure: The Tug experienced a cylinder head break, temporarily halting operations.
    • Lake Huron Damage: Despite sustaining damage during operations, the vessel was repaired and returned to service.
  • Sinking and Resurrection: The Tug reportedly sank at Springwells, Michigan, near the Tug L. L. Lyon, and remained underwater for several years. However, it was salvaged and returned to service before its final years.

Final Disposition

On July 29, 1899, the Bob Anderson was towing a large raft of sawlogs near Grand Marais, Minnesota, when disaster struck. A fire engulfed the vessel, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Fortunately, all crew members survived, rescued by canoe from a nearby shore.

The Tug Mystic attempted to tow the burning wreck to deeper waters, where it ultimately sank to the bottom of Lake Superior. Despite its fiery end, the Bob Anderson had proven its resilience through decades of service, making its final loss a significant event in Great Lakes maritime history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Bob Anderson lies undiscovered in Lake Superior, near Grand Marais. Its precise location and condition remain unknown, and no specific exploration efforts have been documented to date. The wreck is among the many forgotten sites on the Great Lakes, representing the challenges and hazards faced by vessels of the era.

Conservation & NOTMARs

  • Conservation Status: No active efforts to locate or preserve the wreck have been reported.
  • NOTMARs: No current Notices to Mariners are associated with the Bob Anderson wreck.

Resources & Links

Analysis

The story of the Bob Anderson encapsulates the vital role of steam tugs in the 19th-century Great Lakes economy, particularly in the lumber trade. The Tug’s ability to endure decades of service despite incidents and sinking highlights the resilience of both the vessel and its operators. Its final loss to fire underscores the dangers of Great Lakes navigation and the harsh realities faced by maritime crews.

The wreck remains an important yet largely forgotten piece of maritime history, representing the ingenuity and determination that characterized the Great Lakes shipping industry during its peak.

Keywords Bob Anderson Steam Tug Great Lakes Lumber Trade Lake Superior Wreck Grand Marais Shipwreck 19th-Century Maritime History Fire Incident Great Lakes Towing Vessels