Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

The Thomas Quayle was a wooden-hulled propeller steam Tug. Tugs of this size and design were crucial in the Great Lakes maritime industry during the late 19th century, serving to tow barges, assist in docking operations, and support salvage missions. With a length of 125 feet, the Thomas Quayle was considered a large Tug for its time, capable of towing multiple heavily loaded barges across the challenging waters of Lake Superior.

Description

Constructed in 1867 by Quayle & Martin of Cleveland, Ohio, the Thomas Quayle was a robust steam-powered Tug designed for heavy towing on the Great Lakes. She featured a single screw propeller powered by a steam engine positioned near her boiler room—a common setup for tugs of the period. Her wooden construction, while typical for the time, made her vulnerable to fire, which ultimately led to her destruction.

The Tug was owned by Cleveland interests and was frequently employed in towing bulk freight barges, including lumber, ore, and coal shipments to and from ports like Duluth, Superior, and Ontonagon.

History and Service Life

The Thomas Quayle served for 18 years on the Great Lakes, primarily operating on Lake Superior. The Tug was instrumental in hauling freight barges through the often dangerous waters of the upper lakes, where storms and navigational hazards posed significant risks.

The Thomas Quayle was regularly tasked with towing multiple barges across Lake Superior, transporting raw materials like iron ore from Minnesota to steel mills in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She also participated in port assistance operations, helping larger freighters and barges navigate harbors and docking facilities.

Final Disposition and Loss (1885)

While en route to Duluth with three barges in tow—the Zach Chandler, Commodore, and Peck—the Thomas Quaylemade a stop at Ontonagon, Michigan, to refuel and resupply. After tying up at the Government Pier, a fire broke out near her boiler room. The flames quickly spread, fueled by the wooden structure of the vessel and the coal stores used to power her steam engine.

Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the Tug was engulfed in fire, burned to the waterline, and eventually sank at the pier. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the crew or onlookers.

Loss of Life

None: All crew members escaped the vessel before it was completely engulfed in flames.

Final Disposition

The Thomas Quayle was declared a Total Loss following the fire. However, in 1887, her machinery—including the steam engine and propeller components—was salvaged and installed in a new vessel built at Algonac, Michigan, that same year. This practice was common in the Great Lakes maritime industry, where valuable mechanical parts were often reused in the construction of new vessels.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings are associated with the wreck of the Thomas Quayle, as the vessel was likely cleared from the harbor following her sinking. The Ontonagon Harbor continues to be an active port on Lake Superior.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Thomas Quayle was a wooden steam Tug built in 1867 by Quayle & Martin of Cleveland, Ohio, serving the Great Lakes—particularly Lake Superior—for nearly two decades. Her primary role was towing freight barges, such as the Zach Chandler, Commodore, and Peck, between key ports like Ontonagon and Duluth. The Tug met her end on October 28, 1885, when a fire near her boilers caused her to burn to the waterline and sink at the Government Pier in Ontonagon, Michigan. While the vessel was a Total Loss, her machinery was salvaged and reused in a new vessel built in 1887.

The story of the Thomas Quayle highlights both the importance of steam tugs in the Great Lakes shipping industryand the perils these vessels faced from fire hazards inherent in wooden-hulled steamers.

Suggested Keywords: Thomas Quayle steam Tug, Great Lakes steam tugs, Lake Superior shipwrecks, Ontonagon maritime history, Quayle & Martin shipbuilders, Great Lakes fires on steamers.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior, Steam Tugs of the Great Lakes, Maritime Disasters in Michigan, 19th Century Great Lakes Shipping.

Glossary Terms: Steam Tug, Propeller-Driven Vessel, Government Pier, Fire Hazards in Wooden Steamers, Machinery Salvage.