Description

The FERN was a small yet powerful steam screw Tug—built in Algonac, Michigan, in 1882—designed for towing and salvage operations on the Great Lakes. At 48 gross and 35 net tons, she typified late‑19th century utility tugs: sturdy, compact, and built for work rather than comfort.

History

On June 29, 1901, while engaged in salvage operations at Eagle River Reef, FERN tragically Foundered. She sank during efforts to assist other wrecks in an area notoriously treacherous for navigation.

Final Dispositions

Cause of Loss: Foundered and sank while salvaging wreck material amid hazardous reef and possible poor conditions.
Wreck Condition: Remains have not been positively identified; thought to lie near remnants of the Colorado wreck, in a scattered and degraded state.

Located By & Date Found

The FERN is documented in historical shipping records and shipwreck listings. No exact modern discovery date or survey exists; divers report potential visual proximity to the Colorado wreck, yet no confirmed identification has been made.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational markers are recorded. Eagle River Reef remains a known hazard, historically responsible for multiple losses, including FERN and earlier vessels such as the Colorado.

Dive Information

Access Type: Boat
Entry Point: Near Eagle River, Keweenaw Peninsula
Conditions: Low Visibility possible; debris from multiple wrecks may obscure features
Depth Range: Approx. 35 ft (10.7 m)
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie; local dive operators in Eagle Harbor
Permits & Rules: Site is within Keweenaw Underwater Preserve—disturbance prohibited
Local Dive Support: Keweenaw Underwater Preserve and Eagle Harbor operators

Crew & Casualty Memorials

The FERN sank with the loss of all five crew members, including Captain Hemenger of Algonac. No survivor names or memorial records are currently documented or located.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“The wrecking Steamer sank while salvaging iron from wrecks on Eagle River Reef in Lake Superior. Lost with all five crew.” — Shipwrecks listing for June 1901

“Divers occasionally claim to have seen the remains of the 65 ft Tug Fern which sank with five crew while salvaging…the remains have not been identified by any divers…” — Baillod.com

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

No official commercial numbers or registry records have been located in consulted sources. Further research into Port Huron or Algonac registry archives may yield additional enrollment data.

Site Documentation & Imaging

No modern surveys, NOAA VR, or 3D imaging have been documented. Available information stems from historical listings and diver reports.

Image Gallery

No identifiable imagery exists for the FERN wreck.

Resources & Links

• Wikipedia list of shipwrecks (June 1901)—FERN
• OurMidland.com Michigan Shipwrecks Guide—FERN
• Baillod.com Keweenaw wreck database—FERN overview

References

• “Fern—wrecking Steamer sank while salvaging… Lost with all five crew” (June 1901 list)
• OurMidland.com entry for FERN—wrecking Tug Foundered near Sawtooth Reef
• Baillod.com—notes on divers seldom seeing remains, proximity to Colorado site

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card