T. H. Camp was a wooden tugboat, operated by the Booth Packing Company of Bayfield, Wisconsin.

She made a brief stop by nearby Bayfield and took on additional cargo, adding to her already heavy load.

The waters of Lake Superior were choppy as she departed Bayfield bound for the northern end Brigham and Gardner logging camp on the northern end of Madeline Island.

At a point nearly opposite the Bass Island Brownstone Company Quarry on Basswood Island, the tug′s captain ordered her engines put in reverse, with the intention of giving the sailboat a tow.

Suddenly, the tug′s cargo shifted, and she lurched over to one side, taking on a dangerous list.