Identification & Site Information

  • Name(s): Fred and Will
  • Official Number: 9719
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Built At: Buffalo, New York
  • Final Location: Off Sand Island, Apostle Islands Group, Lake Superior
  • Date Lost: 14 October 1878
  • How Lost: Boiler explosion, burned and wrecked

Vessel Type

Wooden Tugboat (Towboat), typical of post-Civil War era utility craft used for harbor towing, assistance, and light cargo duties throughout the Great Lakes.

Description

  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Tonnage (Gross): 10.18
  • Decks: 1
  • Builder: S. Carroll, Buffalo, NY

This small-capacity wooden Tug was built for light-duty service and was not unusually rigged or mechanically complex beyond her boiler-powered Screw Propulsion.

History

  • 1867, August: Capsized at Buffalo on Lake Erie shortly after construction; later recovered and returned to service.
  • 1878, October 14: While operating in Lake Superior, the Tug suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion and was completely wrecked by fire. The incident occurred between York and Sand Islands within the Apostle Islands archipelago.
  • Survivors: All three crew members escaped by swimming ashore.

Final Disposition

Completely destroyed by fire following a boiler explosion. The remains of the vessel sank near the Apostle Islands (Sand Island vicinity). Not documented as salvaged or located in modern times.

Located By & Date Found

No known rediscovery or underwater documentation has been made public. The wreck remains unconfirmed on charts and has not been registered in NOAA or local archaeological databases as located.

Notmar & Advisories

None noted.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

Fred and Will was a typical example of the many small wooden tugboats that supported larger commercial operations on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its loss highlights the dangers of early steam technology, especially in remote and rugged locations like the Apostle Islands. Though minor in tonnage, its wreck adds to the maritime story of Lake Superior’s dangerous western shore.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: Tug, boiler explosion, Lake Superior, Apostles, wooden Hull, 19th century, Sand Island, York Island
  • Categories: Great Lakes tugboats, steam towboats, Lake Superior wrecks, 1800s maritime history
  • Glossary:
    • Boiler Explosion: A catastrophic failure of a steam boiler, often fatal and a common risk in 19th-century vessels.
    • Gross Tonnage: Measurement of total internal volume of a vessel.