Sport (tug) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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SPORT (tug) Shipwreck Site
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Sport, 1899
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | In Lake Huron, three miles east of Lexington, Michigan |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Built by | Wyandotte Iron Ship Building Works |
| Architect | Frank E. Kirby |
| Architectural style | Steel-hulled tug |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001503 |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1992 |
The Sport was a special tugboat built way back in 1873. It worked hard for many years on the Great Lakes. Sadly, it sank in 1920 in Lake Huron. Today, the place where the Sport rests is a protected shipwreck site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 because of its important history.
Contents
The Sport's Story
Building a Special Tugboat
In 1873, a smart businessman named Eber Brock Ward wanted a new tugboat. He asked a famous ship designer, Frank E. Kirby, to create it. The boat was built in Wyandotte, Michigan.
The Sport was very special for its time! It was the first tugboat on the Great Lakes made of steel. It was also the first ship in North America to use a super strong type of steel called Bessemer steel.
Working on the Water
The Sport was made to help other ships in harbors. It first worked near Wyandotte and the St. Clair River. By 1875, it moved to Ludington, Michigan, where it helped with lumber.
Over the years, the Sport was fixed up many times. It was sold to different owners who used it for many jobs. It would tow other boats, help rescue ships, and even aid vessels in trouble.
In 1913, Captain Robert Thompson bought the Sport. He used it as a fire tug in Port Huron, Michigan, and for other harbor duties.
The Final Voyage
On December 13, 1920, the Sport left Port Huron. It was heading for Harbor Beach. But a very strong storm hit the tugboat. By 6:00 PM, the Sport was taking on too much water. The pumps couldn't keep up.
The firetender, who was in charge of the engine, became very sick. He had to go to his bunk. Without him, the boat lost its steam power, and the pumps stopped working.
Around 11:00 PM, the crew knew they had to leave the ship. They got off the Sport and managed to make it to shore near Lexington. Luckily, everyone survived!
A Historic Shipwreck
The wreck of the Sport was found in 1987. In 1992, it became the first Michigan shipwreck to get its own Michigan Historical Marker. This marker was placed on the shipwreck itself!
Today, the Sport wreck is part of the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve. It's a popular spot for divers who want to explore history underwater. The original marker was damaged and removed in 2002.
What the Sport Looked Like
The Sport was about 57 feet long. It was 14 feet wide and 9 feet deep. It had an iron frame with a strong steel hull around it.
Today, the wreck sits in 45 feet of water. The hull is upright, but it leans a little to one side. The top parts of the tugboat stick up about 20 feet from the lake bottom. The boat is still mostly together. Divers can see tools and other items scattered around the site.
