Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Welcome
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Number: 208354
  • Date Built and Launched: 1906
  • Builder: Unknown, built in Cheboygan, Michigan
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 36 ft (10.97 m) Beam (Width): 10 ft (3.05 m) Depth of Hold: 5 ft (1.52 m) Gross Tonnage: 13 tons  Net Tonnage: 9 tons
  • Date Lost: September 29, 1913
  • Place of Loss: Cheboygan River, Michigan, Lake Huron
  • Type of Loss: Fire
  • Loss of Life: None
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Fishing gear

Vessel Type

The Welcome was a gas screw fish tug, a type of wooden fishing vessel equipped with a gasoline-powered engine and a screw (propeller) drive. These vessels were widely used in the early 20th century by commercial fishermen on the Great Lakes. Compared to traditional steam or sail-powered fishing boats, gas-powered tugs were more efficient and required fewer crew members.

Description

Built in 1906 in Cheboygan, Michigan, the Welcome was 36 feet long, relatively small compared to larger Great Lakes fishing tugs, making her suitable for nearshore and riverine operations. She was likely constructed from local timber, using designs typical for early 20th-century fishing vessels.

Registered out of Grand Haven, Michigan, the Tug operated along Lake Huron’s shores and inland waterways like the Cheboygan River, where many fishing boats docked and offloaded their catch.

History

The Welcome served as a commercial fishing vessel, operating primarily in Lake Huron near the Cheboygan River. Gasoline-powered fishing tugs like the Welcome were relatively new at the time, marking a shift away from steam-powered or sail-driven fishing vessels.

Fishing tugs were crucial to the Great Lakes fishing industry, providing year-round employment for fishermen and supplying fresh fish to markets across Michigan. Given her small size and location, the Welcome likely engaged in coastal and river fishing, targeting species such as whitefish, perch, and lake trout.

Final Incident and Loss

On September 29, 1913, while docked or operating in the Cheboygan River, the Welcome caught fire under unknown circumstances. Wooden vessels were particularly vulnerable to fire, as gasoline engines posed a significant risk of explosion and rapid burning.

Despite the destructive nature of the fire, no lives were lost, and it is likely that the crew was able to evacuate safely. The vessel, however, suffered Total Loss due to the extent of the fire damage.

Conflicting Reports on Final Disposition. Some sources indicate that the vessel was completely destroyed in 1913 and never operated again.  However, other historical records suggest that the Welcome was Abandoned in 1922, implying that the burned-out Hull may have been left afloat or repurposed for another use before being fully discarded. Given these conflicting reports, it is unclear whether the Welcome was repaired or if remnants of her burned Hull remained for years before officially being written off.

Final Disposition

If Abandoned in 1922, the remains of the Welcome were likely left in the Cheboygan River or a nearby harbour, where they would have deteriorated over time. No known salvage or preservation efforts were made.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed reports of the Welcome’s wreck or remains being located. Given her small wooden structure and exposure to elements, any surviving fragments would likely be heavily deteriorated.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – The Welcome does not pose a known navigational hazard, and her wreck site (if it exists) is not marked on modern nautical charts.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Welcome, fish tug, Great Lakes fishing boats, Gas Screw vessel, Lake Huron shipwreck, Cheboygan River fire, 20th-century maritime disasters

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 20th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Commercial Fishing Boats, Abandoned Vessels

Glossary Terms:

  • Gas Screw Vessel: A boat powered by a gasoline engine and a screw (propeller), replacing steam power in early 20th-century vessels.
  • Fish Tug: A small, sturdy fishing vessel designed for towing nets and operating in the Great Lakes commercial fishing industry.
  • Abandoned Vessel: A ship that has been left to deteriorate rather than being officially scrapped or salvaged.
  • Total Loss: A maritime term indicating that a vessel has been damaged beyond economic repair.

Conclusion

The Welcome was part of the transition from steam to gasoline-powered fishing vessels in the early 20th century. Her loss by fire in 1913 marked the end of her fishing career, though conflicting records suggest she may have remained Abandoned until 1922. While small compared to larger Great Lakes Ships, vessels like the Welcome were essential to the fishing industry, supporting communities along the shores of Lake Huron.