Prince Alfred (Propeller), C74063, 1882

Propeller PRINCE ALFRED. Of 315 tons. Built At Sarnia in 1859 by R. Steed. Owned by McCullum. Home port, Windsor. Value $7,500. Class B 2. REMARKS. - Formerly tug MICHIGAN.
      Inland Lloyds Vessel Classification
      Canadian Hulls, 1882
     

      THE WRECKING TUG MICHIGAN
The Canadian wrecking tug Prince Alfred, which is now the property of the International Wrecking and Transportation company, has been largely repaired during the winter and spring, and is so far a new boat that it was thought best to give her a new name. Application was made by S. A. Murphy to the dominion government and permission granted to have her name changed to "Michigan," under which title she will henceforth go to the rescue of craft which are unfortunate enough to run against Canada. The Michigan is now in the best possible shape for wrecking, and has on board steam pumps, hoisting gear, and everything necessary to do successful wrecking. The Michigan's powerful engine is completely new and very powerful. It is a Steeple compound, with cylinders 22 and 40 by 27. Her boilers have also been repaired, so that she is now one of the best pullers on the lakes. The name "Michigan" can scarcely be called new, as the tug was formerly known by that name when owned by Capt. John Pridgeon, who sold her to the Canadian government.
      Detroit Post and Tribune
      June 4, 1883



Capt. James Laframboise, who formerly commanded the tug Prince Alfred, is now sailing the tug Michigan, which he thinks is a much better craft than the former.
      Detroit Post and Tribune
      June 14, 1883



NOTE: MICHIGAN/PRINCE ALFRED/MICHIGAN (C#7406) had been sailed by Capt. Laframboise and had done some significant wrecking for all of the spring of 1883 before being renamed. She had had an interesting career. Built in 1859 for the Grand Trunk Railway by Robert Steed at Sarnia, Ont., the 275 ton steamer was sold to Detroiter John Pridgeon and his partner W. K. Muir in 1862, but retained her Canadian registry. During the Fenian uprising in 1867, she was sold to the Canadian government, renamed PRINCE ALFRED and converted to a gunboat. In 1877 she was sold once more to private owners and converted to a large wrecker. For the following six years she was the biggest and most powerful Canadian wrecker covering Lakes Erie and Huron. For some reason which I have not yet discovered, the "nearly new" MICHIGAN was reported dismantled after only one year under her new name.
      Dave Swayze's note
     
     
     
MICHIGAN. Built Sarnia in 1859, renamed PRINCE ALFRED in 1867. Canadian Official Number, 74063. 154 x 27 x 9 of 288 tons. Tug. DISPOSITION. -- Rebuilt barge 1884.
      Preliminary List of Canadian merchant Steamships
      Inland & Coastal, 1809 to 1930



     

U.S. Tug MICHIGAN was a few years back called PRINCE ALFRED, a Canadian tug.
      Marine Record
      September 20, 1883