Propeller Steam Tug – Built 1878, Lost October 22, 1931
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Hunter Wills (initially Louise, later Hunter Willis)
- Official Number: 140288
- Built: 1878 by J. Monk, Sandusky, Ohio
- Type: Wooden propeller steam Tug
- Dimensions: 89 ft × 19 ft × 8 ft; 84 gross tons, 44 net tons
({{cite}}turn0search2) - Date of Loss: October 22, 1931
- Location: Burned in Erie, Pennsylvania harbor, Lake Erie
Circumstances of Loss
- The Hunter Wills was destroyed by fire while docked in Erie harbor on October 22, 1931.
- No injuries or fatalities were reported in the incident.
Final Disposition
- The fire completely destroyed the wooden Hull and superstructure, resulting in a Total Loss.
- Given the era and condition, it was not salvaged and was subsequently written off.
Historical Significance
- Originally launched as the passenger Steamer Louise, she was renamed Hunter Wills (also Hunter Willis) in 1931, shortly before her destruction.
- Reflects vulnerability of aging wooden steam tugs—even working vessels—when moored in harbor.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1878, Sandusky, Ohio |
| Type | Wooden propeller steam Tug |
| Dimensions | 89 × 19 × 8 ft; 84 gt / 44 nt |
| Lost | Oct 22, 1931, Erie, PA harbor |
| Cause | Fire – Hull gutted to Total Loss |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Name History | Louise → Hunter Wills (Hunter Willis) |
Suggested Research Directions
- Erie-area newspaper archives (e.g., Erie Times-News, October 1931) may report fire details or ownership background.
- Maritime registries post-1931 may include insurance claims or decommission records.
- Harbor logs might reference dock usage or salvaging plans post-fire.