Tug Explorer ~ 12 December 1919

First investigated in 1986 by the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Branch, this exposed wreck, just 200 yards off the Nag's Head pier, is thought to be the tugboat, Explorer. The seagoing tug was built in Savannah, GA in 1919. It was lost on December 12, 1919 while in tow and without cargo. It had a wooden hull, triple expansion engine, and lies in about 20 feet of water.

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920:

From: W.E. Griffith, managing agent, Division of Operations, United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation, Norfolk, VA

To: The Commandant

This is to acquaint you with the ready response we get from our Coast Guard cutter Manning, stationed here. We have had a number of occasions to request her services this winter, and they have been invariably met with ready compliance. In regard to this we note a few of the occasions, viz, steamship Coweta, steamship Western Ocean, steamship Calvares, steamship Kangi, steamship West Totant, and tug Traveler.

     In this connection we desire to note that the two tugs Traveler and Explorer broke away from the towing vessel while being towed up the coast, and, while the Explorer drifted on the beach and was lost, by reason of the prompt and skillful services of the Manning the Traveler was picked up and towed into Hampton Roads and thereby saved.

     We take pleasure in presenting this report to your attention and record.

Tug Levi Davis ~ 29 November 1896

Annual Report of the Operations of the United States Life-Saving Services fr the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897:

Stranded in hazy weather, about 6 p.m., 4 miles SE. of the station and ¾ mile off shore, her master mistaking an old sunken wreck for a buoy. The evening patrolman, having discovered the casualty, burned his Coston signal to reassure her crew, and the surfmen were soon on the scene, where they were shortly afterwards joined by the life savers from the Cape Fear Station and by the tug Blanche, which vessel at once proceeded to Southport to procure additional hawsers, there not being sufficient length of line at hand to reach the stranded towboat. However, during her absence the boiler of the Levi Davis broke loose and the craft bilged, her crew of 8 men being taken off in the Oak Island surfboat, together with most of their personal effects, while the Cape Fear surfmen saved a small boat belonging to the steamer. Upon the return of the Blanche the shipwrecked men were put aboard her and the life savers returned to their posts, the Oak Island crew being given a tow abreast their station. The Davis proved a total loss.

Newspaper Article:
New York Times, December 1, 1896

Steamer Madeleine & Tug Margaret ~ 12 January 1912

NORTH CAROLINA MARITIME MUSEUM

Beaufort, NC

www.ncmaritimemuseum.org

On this day in 1912 the Raleigh Daily Times reported that the steamer Madeleine and tug Margaret were lost SE Of Cape Lookout Shoals. The crew of the steamer was rescued but the tug captain and crew from one of the barges being towed were lost.