The Menominee River (US No. 91131) was built in Green Bay, WI and has two builders accredited to her-John Gregory and A. J. Johnson. Her first enrollment papers were filed May 15, 1879 in Marquette, MI.
Green Bay Daily State Gazette, February 13, 1878
Another Tug.
Captain Thrall is working quite a force on his new tug at the foot ot Pine street. The frames are nearly all out, and if this weather continues he will have the timbers set up this week. The keel would have been laid, and a portion of the frame up to-day, but for delay caused by one of the principal sticks proving unfit for use. The new vessel will be of the following dimensions: length of keel, 70 feet; extreme length 80 feet; beam 16 feet; depth of hold 9 feet. She will have a boiler 7½×14 feet, her engine will be 24×30 inches, turning an 8 feet wheel. In model, she will be exactly like the Protection, but will have 3 extra frames amidships, giving her 5 feet in length. This extra length is necessary to enable tugs burning slabs to carry sufficient fuel for long trips. Captain Gregory whose name has been mentioned in connection with Capt. Dennis’ tug also superintends the construction of this one.
Green Bay Daily State Gazette, December 20, 1878
Tug Sold.
Capt. Thrall has sold his tug to the Kirby, Carpenter Co of Menominee. The price paid was $2,700. Workmen have been cutting a channel through the ice from Elmore & Kelly’s dock where Capt. Thrall had her tied up for the winter, to tie dock at foot of Pine street, where she was formerly lying before the river froze up.
This afternoon they got the tug along through the bridge and as far as the south protection piles. She will be hauled up on the same yard on which she was built, for the purpose of placing her machinery.
The machinery which is now in the tug Escanaba (US No. 7309) is to be used for the new tug.
The tug is strongly built and of superior model, similar in build to the John Gregory, and we have no doubt but she will make a good record next season on the waters of the Bay.
Green Bay State Gazette, April 11, 1879
The new tug Menominee made a trial trip up the river this afternoon. She is a handsome and powerful looking craft.
Green Bay Advocate, April 17, 1879
Mr. F. Carney, of Marinette, calls our attention to the fat that an error has been made in every case in speaking of the new tug built here as being owned by the Kirby-Carpenter Co. of Menominee. He tells us that one-third of the tug is owned by the Kirby-Carpenter Co. and the other two-thirds by the Menominee River Lumber Co., of Menekaune, and the H. Witbeck Co. and Hamilton & Merryman Co., of Marinette. We hear it intimated in Marinette, that the name of the tug—Menominee—is perhaps rather premature. She steamed up for the first time on Saturday, making a short trial trip, and worked well. The engine readily passed over the center with 15 lbs. of steam. She is now ready for service as soon as the bay opens.
Green Bay State Gazette, April 26, 1879
The Menominee.
The propeller Menominee arrived at her docks this afternoon. The boat has been finely painted and renovated inside and out, and has a splendid appearance on the water, She had a fine run from Milwaukee until she reached Escanaba Here she encountered ice over a foot in thickness; however, she worked her way through, and made a landing, delaying her nearly 24
hours.
The Menominee this season is officered as follows:
- Harvey Pheatt-Captain.
J. P. Arnett—Clerk
John Raleigh—1st officer.
J. McMannus—2d officer
Alex. Currie—1st Engineer.
Geo. Weisow—Steward.
Green Bay State Gazette, April 26, 1879
The new tug Menominee River, which left here Tuesday is owned as follows:—
Two-thirds by the H. Whitbeck, Hamilton, & Merryman, and Menominee River Lumber Cos., of Marinette, and one-third by the Kirby-Carpenter Co., of Menominee.
Menominee River
1879
J. W. Hall Great Lakes Marine Scrapbook, June, 1883
Horn’s Pier, Mich., June 14.—The tug Alert burned to the water’s edge last night on Menominee; also the tug Menominee River was badly injured by fire, but not at the same time. The Alert is owned by Green’s Dredging Company, Chicago, and the Menominee River by the Kirby Carpenter Company, of Menominee, Mich.
According to the Ship Masters’ Association Directory published April of 1914, she was owned by the Menominee River Fire Tug Company of Marinette, Wisconsin.
Green Bay Gazette, January 5, 1915
The large fire tug Menominee River, which was purchased by Captain P. F. Thrall last fall is now ready for launching at his shipyards on East river. Although the river is covered with a thick layer of ice the tug will be launched as soon as the ice can be cut away and work has already been begun.
The Menominee River, was built 34 years ago by Captain Thrall on the cite where the J. L. Jorgensen company powerhouse now stands. She was used for many years on the Menominee river as a fire tug. Last fall she again became the property of Captain Thrall and he set about at once to rebuild her. She was made larger (70 to 73 feet) and somewhat wider (17 to 17.33 feet) and there is now very little of the old boat left save the engines which are in good condition. The captain will dispose of the boat as soon as he can find a purchaser
Menominee, WI
Sheboygan Press, June 5, 1920
The Menominee fire tug, Thomas Thompson (US No. 145038), will be retained by the city of Menominee for duty along the bay shore and river front of the city. A report from the select committee in whose hands the matter had been placed for decision was read in which they were in favor of retaining the steam tug for this service as a protection to the property holders along the shores of the city. It had been brought up at a previous meeting of the city council that the tug be abolished as a fire tug. Some of the aldermen deeming it a waste of money to retain it. The matter was placed in the hands of a select committee to investigate and see what the mill owners and other large property owners along the water front thought of the matter. They did so and found that all of them were in favor of the retention of the tug. The tug over which the argument arose is the most familiar boat in the river replacing the old Menominee River. Capt. Nels Olson of Menominee is the owner of this boat.
Her name was changed in 1920 to Archie Scott and registered to Canada. Horsepower increased from 100 to 200.
Windsor Star, Hune 20, 1923
Dredge Black River.
Sarnia, June 20.—Dredging on the Black River, from its mouth to the Port Huron Sulphite & Paper Company, to make the stream navigable for larger vessels, is now under way. The dredge Defiance, of Green Bay, with two barges and the tug Archie Scott, are being used. It is planned to make an average depth of 18 or 19 feet up to the fibre works, and vessels are today digging between Seventh and Tenth street bridges. It is estimated that the total cost of this work will be almost $22,000.
Port Huron Times, July 17, 1923
Tug Tears Off Upper Rigging In Bridge Crash
The tug Archie Scott. towing a scow being used in dredging operations up the Black river, while coming down the river Monday, passed under the closed bridge, at Tenth street, raking off its smoke stack. the top of its cabin and the whistle pipe, allowing all the steam to escape, and leaving the tug helpless.
The Scott has been at work only one day, having just returned from dry dock where it received repairs on its rudder, which was torn off while turning around up the Black river several weeks ago. It was replaced by the tug Strohm which is a much smaller boat, and which could pass under the Tenth street bridge without danger. The Scott being several feet higher could not pass under the bridge.
It is now at the machine shop and it is expected that it will be back at work today or Wednesday.
Sheboygan Press, August 21, 1937
Menominee River, tug, name changed to Archie Scott at Duluth.
She was abandoned in 1937.
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