Identification & Vessel Details

  • Vessel Name: Kelderhouse, J.
  • Official Number: 76 567
  • Year Built: 1884
  • Built At: Buffalo, New York
  • Type: Wooden propeller Tug/Towboat
  • Engine & Machinery:
    • High-pressure single-cylinder engine (19″ × 21″, ~300 hp @ 130 rpm) by Bell Engine Works, Buffalo
    • One Firebox Boiler (6′ 8″ × 13′ @ 110 psi) by M. Riter, Buffalo
  • Dimensions: 64.2 ft L × 15.8 ft beam × 6.8 ft depth
  • Tonnage: 43 gross register tons / 21 net register tons

Operational History

  • 1884–1890: Active in Buffalo harbor and towing services
  • 1890, June 20: Sustained significant fire damage while docked at Heffert’s Dock, Buffalo
  • 1899–1900: Continued operations under Maytham Tug Line; suffered minor fire damage at Buffalo in May 1900
  • 1907, April 24: Final incident—stranded near Dunkirk, New York, Lake Erie; subsequently dismantled

Wreck Details & Fate

  • Incident Date: 24 April 1907
  • Location: Lake Erie, near Dunkirk, NY
  • Cause: Stranded (specific cause not detailed—likely grounding or collision)
  • Disposition: Dismantled after stranding; no wreck remains
  • Salvage: Removed piece by piece; not left submerged or Abandoned underwater

Historical Significance

  • Kelderhouse, J. represents a robust class of late-19th-century wooden tugs central to harbor and coastal towing operations
  • Her multiple minor fires (1890, 1900) reflect the operational hazards of steam propulsion in port environments
  • The 1907 stranding near Dunkirk and subsequent dismantling demonstrate practices of the time: vessels deemed uneconomical to repair were taken apart rather than refloated

Research & Documentation Opportunities

  • U.S. Life-Saving Service Logs (1907): Dunkirk-area station logs may detail the grounding event or any crew rescues (lighthouseantiques.net, archives.gov)
  • Dunkirk Local Media: Archives of the Dunkirk Evening Observer or Buffalo Courier from April–May 1907 likely contain reports on the stranding, salvage operation, and any advisory issued
  • Harbor & Vessel Records: Maytham Tug Line and Buffalo harbor records may list details on the event and eventual dismantling

Keywords & Categories

  • Region: Dunkirk / Buffalo, Lake Erie
  • Vessel Type: Wooden propeller Tug/Towboat
  • Cause of Loss: Grounding/stranding—dismantled, no wreck
  • Casualties: None known
  • Build Year: 1884
  • Loss Year: 1907
  • Fate: Removed—no wreckage or diving interest remains