Identification & Site Information

• Name: You Tell
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 65020
• Vessel Type at Loss: Scow-Schooner, wood, 2-mast
• Builder: W. Gangulon, Detroit, Michigan
• Year Built & Launched: 1866
• Specifications:
  • Length: 56 ft (17.1 m)  Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m)  Depth: 5 ft (1.5 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 38 GT
• Date Lost: September 26, 1872
• Location of Loss: Near Washington Island, Isle Royale, Lake Superior
• Cause of Loss: Storm, struck a shoal and Foundered
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Hay

Vessel Description & History

The You Tell was a small wooden scow-Schooner built in 1866 in Detroit, Michigan, by shipbuilder W. Gangulon. Scow-schooners were a common vessel type on the Great Lakes, particularly for carrying bulk cargoes such as lumber, stone, and agricultural products. Their flat-bottomed hulls allowed them to operate in shallow waters, making them ideal for transporting goods to and from undeveloped or small port areas.

The vessel was owned by L. Tenney of Duluth, Minnesota, and primarily operated between Lake Superior ports, hauling cargo between settlements and industrial centers in the western Great Lakes.

Final Voyage & Loss

On September 26, 1872, the You Tell was sailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Ashland, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of hay. While passing near Washington Island, Isle Royale, she encountered a storm. The rough conditions pushed her onto a shoal, causing her Hull to take on water and eventually founder.

There is no clear record of casualties, so it remains unknown whether any of the crew perished or survived. However, given the ship’s small size and low tonnage, it is likely that only a few crew members were aboard at the time of the wreck.

Final Disposition

With her wooden Hull damaged and submerged in the treacherous waters near Isle Royale, the You Tell was Abandoned and never recovered. Over time, the harsh conditions of Lake Superior likely destroyed any remaining structure.

Located By & Date Found

There is no known modern discovery of the wreck. Any surviving remains would likely be scattered wreckage or buried under shifting lakebed sediments near Isle Royale.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No known modern navigational hazards related to this vessel exist, but the waters around Isle Royale are notorious for shipwrecks, with numerous rocky shoals and unpredictable storms.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org

Conclusion

The You Tell was a typical scow-Schooner of the mid-19th century, serving in short-haul cargo transport across Lake Superior. Her loss near Isle Royale in 1872, due to a storm and shoal impact, was one of many similar shipwrecks in this treacherous region. With no known recovery or modern discovery, her fate remains another unsolved chapter in the history of Great Lakes maritime trade.