Tragedy on Lake Superior: The Sinking of Tug Pearl B. Campbell

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: Pearl B. Campbell
• • Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
• • Owner: Inman Tug Line, Duluth, Minnesota
• • Built: 1883, by John B. Martel, Saugatuck, Michigan
• • Dimensions:
• • Length: 55.2 feet
• • Beam: 15.8 feet
• • Depth: 6.9 feet
• • Gross Tonnage: Not specified
• • Final Location: Near Huron Islands, Lake Superior
• • Coordinates: Exact location unknown
• • Depth: Not specified

HISTORY & INCIDENT SUMMARY

The Pearl B. Campbell was a small but vital Tugboat serving the Great Lakes, operated by the Inman Tug Line out of Duluth, Minnesota. Primarily employed in assisting stranded vessels and towing duties, the Tug was a lifeline for the shipping industry on Lake Superior.

FINAL VOYAGE

• Date of Incident: December 7, 1895

• Cause of Loss: Severe winter storm and ice accumulation

• Circumstances:

After successfully assisting the Schooner Henry A. Kent near Marquette, Michigan, the Pearl B. Campbell embarked on its return trip to Duluth. The weather worsened rapidly as the Tug neared the Huron Islands, with gale-force winds and icy conditions. Ice began to accumulate on the vessel’s upperworks, throwing it off balance. As water breached the Deck, the Tug began to sink Stern first. Despite the crew’s best efforts, the Pearl B. Campbell succumbed to the storm.

LOSS OF LIFE

All seven men aboard the Tug perished, marking the tragedy as one of Lake Superior’s many maritime disasters. The crew members lost were:

• Captain William McGillivray

• George McCort (Engineer)

• Captain John Lloyd (Mate)

• Fred England (Second Engineer)

• Peter McCallin (Cook)

• Two Unnamed Firemen

The disaster left a profound impact on the maritime community, particularly in Duluth, where the crew members were well-known.

SIGNIFICANCE

The sinking of the Pearl B. Campbell highlights the extreme risks faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the winter months. The event underscores the dangers posed by accumulating ice on small vessels, a persistent hazard for tugs and steamers in the region.

LEGACY

The Pearl B. Campbell and its crew are remembered as part of the enduring history of Great Lakes shipping. Their loss serves as a solemn reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who worked these inland seas, often in perilous conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive database of vessel histories.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed archival records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

• Great Lakes Ships: Historical information on vessels operating in the region.

The story of the Pearl B. Campbell remains a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Superior, reminding us of both the resilience and the vulnerability of those who depend on the Great Lakes for their livelihood.