built 1871; lost October 25, 1898, Propeller steam Tug (wood), Lake Superior service
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Official Number: 110083
- Built: 1871 at Buffalo, New York by Notter
- Type: Wooden propeller Tug, approximately 54 × 15 × 8 ft, about 29 gross / 15 net tons
Final Voyage & Loss — October 25, 1898
- Estimated Route: Towing a scow from Superior, Wisconsin, intended for Pork Bay, Lake Superior
- Incident: Overtaken by a sudden storm while towing. The Rebel Foundered in deep water.
- Crew Action: The crew Abandoned ship onto the scow, and were later rescued by the Steamer City of London.
- Casualties: None—crew survived
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Rebel |
| Built | 1871, Buffalo, NY (Notter) |
| Official No. | 110083 |
| Specs | ~54×15×8 ft; ~29 gt / ~15 nt |
| Date of Loss | October 25, 1898 |
| Route | Tow from Superior, WI → Pork Bay, Lake Superior |
| Cause | Foundered in storm |
| Crew & Casualties | All crew survived; rescued by City of London |
| Outcome | Total Loss; Barge-Tug Foundered |
Significance & Research Notes
- Rebel exemplifies the risks smaller steam tugs faced when towing scows across exposed Lake Superior routes in late-season weather.
- Her crew’s successful transfer to the scow—and subsequent rescue—demonstrates seamanship under duress and the value of towing redundancy.
- No cargo was listed, indicating her principal role was towing rather than carrying freight.
Suggested Research Avenues
To enrich the profile further, you might explore:
- Local newspaper archives (October–November 1898) in Superior, WI or along Lake Superior routes—potential reporting on storm conditions and the rescue operation.
- Company or ship registry archives—for owner/operator information and operational logs of the Rebel.
- Underwriter or marine insurance files—for claims data under Official No. 110083 and valuation of vessel loss.
- Shipping directories or crew logs—may provide crew names, tow contracts, and vessel deployment history.
Conclusion
The wooden steam Tug Rebel, constructed in 1871, was lost in a storm on October 25, 1898, while towing a scow from Superior, Wisconsin to Pork Bay, Lake Superior. She Foundered; however, her crew was safely rescued after abandoning onto the scow. No lives were lost. Her loss highlights the vulnerability of towing operations in late-season storms, and the importance of crew survival procedures.