Tug General
Built in 1900 at West Bay City, Michigan, by James Davidson for the Union Towing and Wrecking Company of Duluth, the tug General measured just under 100 feet in length and spent her early years working the upper Great Lakes — much of that time assisting vessels in the busy and accident-prone St. Marys River.
A Storied History
On November 30, 1910, the General was struck by the Canadian Pacific steamer Athabasca near Lime Island, a few miles above DeTour. The collision sank the tug and tragically claimed three lives. She remained on the river bottom until 1919, when DeTour salvager T. L. Durocher raised the vessel and returned her to service. For nearly a decade, she supported local salvage, dock, and dredging operations.
In April of 1930, the General caught fire while docked at DeTour and burned to the waterline. Her machinery was salvaged, and the remaining hull was allowed to sink near Frying Pan Island, where it still rests today.
The Wreck Today
Much of the hull remains intact, along with portions of the cabin and numerous smaller artifacts. The engine and boiler are gone, but a massive steering quadrant near the stern remains one of the wreck’s most striking features. The sheltered location close to shore protects the site from wave action, making it diveable even when Lake Huron is too rough — a favorite backup dive site in the area.
- Built: 1900 · West Bay City, MI
- Length: 97.5 feet
- Vessel Type: Tugboat
- Water Depth: 15–25 feet
- Best For: Divers & calm-water exploration close to shore
