Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Harbor Tug Ralph
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018
1. Harbor Tug Ralph Marker
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. 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
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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
2. Marker detail: the harbor tug Ralph (1874-1917)
3. Marker sidebar photos
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 182 times since then and 17 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.
