Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Harbor Tug Ralph

Harbor Tug <i>Ralph</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Harbor Tug Ralph Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1874, the 60-foot wooden harbor tug E.H. Miller began a 45-year career operating out of Alpena, escorting vessels on the Thunder Bay River and assisting those in distress. The tug was not without her own share of mishaps. In her first year, she burned twice. In October of 1875, the E.H. Miller sank following a boiler explosion, which killed both Captain Edwin H. Miller (the vessel's namesake) and the cook.

In 1876, the remains of the E.H. Miller were raised, repaired, and put back into service. In 1883, the tug was renamed Ralph. The tug assisted the City of Alpena Fire Department on several occasions and even rescued a team of horses that had plunged into the river near the Second Avenue Bridge. She ultimately sank after another fire in 1917. Archeaologists believe the remains of the tug rest underneath the breakwater of the present-day Thunder Bay Shores Marina.

Erected by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location.

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45° 3.872′ N, 83° 25.878′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. Marker can be reached from West Fletcher Street north of North 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along the Alpena Bi-Path, south of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife complex, beside the Thunder Bay River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480 West Fletcher Street, Alpena MI 49707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tragedy in the Mist: The Schooner E.B. Allen (within shouting distance of this marker); Squeezing The Profit Margin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Treaty of Saginaw (about 400 feet away); Grecian (about 400 feet away); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (about 500 feet away); The Fletcher Coal Piers (about 500 feet away); Montana (about 600 feet away); Thomas Stafford Dog Park (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.

More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted waist-high on a metal supporting rack.

Additional keywords. Harbor Tug Ralph

Marker detail: the harbor tug <i>Ralph</i> (1874-1917) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: the harbor tug Ralph (1874-1917)

Marker sidebar photos image. Click for full size.

3. Marker sidebar photos

Harbor Tug <i>Ralph</i> Marker (<i>wide view looking south across the Thunder Bay River</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Harbor Tug Ralph Marker (wide view looking south across the Thunder Bay River)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 164 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.