Identification & Site Information

  • Name(s): Wadsworth, later renamed Eva
  • Official Number: 8723
  • Built: 1871, Buffalo, New York
  • Type: Screw Tug/Towboat, wood‑hulled, single Deck

Vessel Specifications

  • Hull: Wood, 1 Deck
  • Dimensions: 50 ft (15.2 m) length × 10 ft (3.05 m) beam × 4.6 ft (1.4 m) depth
  • Tonnage: Gross 23.67; Net 11.84
  • Propulsion: Single-screw driven by a 20 hp engine

Construction & Ownership Chronology

  • 1871: Launched as Tug Wadsworth from Buffalo, NY.
  • 1872: Recorded as owned by S.S. Vaughn, Bayfield, Wisconsin; later transferred from Erie, PA.
  • 1882: Enrolled under Marquette District registry.
  • 1884–1888: Operated under C. Johnson and later C. Bush, port of L’Anse, Michigan.
  • July 1888: Initially named Wadsworth, at anchor in Marquette when kerosene lantern exploded; fire extinguished before significant damage.
  • 1889: Now named Eva, owned by George Lloyd of Duluth, Minnesota; engaged in recovering stray logs off Bayfield, Wisconsin.
  • November 1889: Went ashore near Bayfield; successfully refloated.

Fire & Final Disposition

  • 13 November 1890: While moored near Rice’s Point, Duluth, Minnesota (Lake Superior), experienced a catastrophic onboard fire. The vessel was partially destroyed by fire and subsequently scuttled at that location.
  • Salvage: Likely minimal; wooden structure burned and sunk, leaving wreckage beneath shallow water near Rice’s Point.

Archival & Research Gaps

  • Builder and yard records: Buffalo shipbuilding documentation, possibly in Buffalo Maritime Center archives.
  • Crew and master information: Manifests, licenses, or enrolment documents (e.g., U.S. Customs, Marquette District).
  • Incident reports:
    • July 1888 lantern explosion—local newspaper (Marquette Mining Journal) coverage may exist.
    • November 1890 fatal fire—Duluth newspapers (e.g., Duluth Herald) and fire department logs should be searched.
  • Insurance claims or court inquests: Likely documentation with fire incident insurance or marine court.
  • Wreck documentation: No sonar survey or dive log identified for the wreck site near Rice’s Point.

Wreck & Exploration Potential

  • Probable site: Rice’s Point vicinity, Duluth Harbor—likely shallow and accessible for diving or remote surveying.
  • Preservation risk: Burned wooden structure may be dismantled or decayed—potential survivors include metal fittings or engine parts if spared.
  • Survey Proposals:
    1. Archival: Retrieve 1890 Duluth Herald coverage, fire department reports, and Marine Court proceedings, likely at Minnesota Historical Society.
    2. Registry: Examine enrolment and vessel documentation at National Archives (Marquette District).
    3. Field Survey: Use remote sensing (side-scan sonar, magnetometer) near Rice’s Point to locate remnants.
    4. Local Outreach: Connect with Duluth Marine Museum, local dive clubs, or historical society to gather oral history or unpublished references.

Significance

  • Embodies late 19th-century Great Lakes Tug development, following early regional industrial expansion.
  • Demonstrates adaptive operation—transitioning among different ports, owners, roles, reflecting regional maritime commerce.
  • The 1890 fire and scuttling at Rice’s Point contribute to Duluth maritime heritage and could indicate a relatively accessible wreck site for educational or archaeological documentation.

Recommended Next Steps

  • Newspaper Research:
    • Duluth Herald or Duluth News Tribune (Nov 1890) detailing fire and loss.
    • Bayfield and Marquette periodicals (1888 lantern incident, 1889 grounding).
  • Official Records:
    • U.S. Customs enrolment ledger in National Archives (Marquette District).
    • Duluth fire department or marine court case files (Minnesota Historical Society archives).
  • Field Reconnaissance:
    • Geolocate Rice’s Point scuttling area; commission a sonar/magnetometer scan.
    • Engage local dive organizations for logistical support.