Identification & Construction
- Type: Wooden propeller Tug
- Built: 1865 by Van Slyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY
- Official Number: 9207
- Tonnage: Approximately 12 gross tons
- Rigging: Single-Deck, Screw Propulsion
Final Incident & Loss Details
- Date of Loss: 14 October 1868
- Location: Near the mouth of Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Cause: Collision with the larger Cleveland Tug S. S. COE while assisting at the harbor entrance
- Outcome: Struck and sank; no loss of life recorded (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Crew & Casualties
- Casualties: None reported—crew safely evacuated
- Incident Context: Likely occurred during routine Tug operations; fog or narrow maneuvering may have contributed
Wreck Condition & Site
- Wrecksite: Likely within or near the Cleveland Harbor entrance; presumed to rest in shallow water
- Condition: Wooden Hull probably remains intact but submerged; may have been removed as part of harbor dredging or wreck clearance
Archival Documentation
- Recorded in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, with confirmation of build and loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Not widely covered in period newspapers, suggesting a non-catastrophic event with minimal impact
Research Recommendations
| Task | Detail |
|---|---|
| Harbor Clearance Logs | Examine 1868 Cleveland harbor authority records for wreck removal or salvage actions |
| Local Newspaper Search | Review late-Oct 1868 Cleveland Plain Dealer for collision account or Tug-related news |
| Registry Info | Confirm build records and ownership details at U.S. Customs/Bureau vessels archives |
| Underwater Survey | Deploy side-scan sonar near harbor mouth to detect any preserved wreckage, if not removed |
Summary
The F. W. Notter, a 12‑ton wooden Tug built in Buffalo in 1865, sank on October 14, 1868, following a collision with the Tug S. S. Coe at the mouth of Cleveland Harbor. The sinking resulted in no fatalities. While little remains in the historical record, the Tug offers a glimpse into mid-19th-century harbor operations. Her remains may still exist—though possibly cleared—and could be located via historical and sonar investigations.