Identification & Site Information

•Name: JESSIE HALL

•Type: Screw Wooden River Tug

•Built: 1867 by Van Slyke & G.H. Notter, Buffalo, New York

•Tonnage: Gross: 56.54 tons, Net: 29 tons

•Length: 83.5 feet (25.4 m)

•Final Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Superior

•Year of Loss: October 1, 1936

•Coordinates: Not available

•Depth of Wreck: Unknown

Vessel Type Description

The JESSIE HALL was a small but robust screw wooden river Tug, built in the post-Civil War era to support industrial and shipping activities along the Great Lakes. It featured a single-cylinder engine (later replaced with a compound Steeple Engine) and had a Gross Tonnage of 56.54 tons. These characteristics made it a versatile vessel capable of towing and assisting other ships in navigation and cargo movement across riverine and lacustrine routes.

History

Early Service

•Built in 1867, the JESSIE HALL began its life as a workhorse under the ownership of Hall & Gardiner in Ogdensburg, New York.

•In 1874, the Tug was sold to the St. Lawrence & Chicago Forwarding Co., registering it under the Canadian flag.

Incidents and Upgrades

•May 1878: The vessel sank on a shoal off Refugee Island in the St. Lawrence River. It was later raised and repaired in Montreal.

•October 1880: The Tug collided with the Schooner EMERALD, causing damage to the latter.

•1883: A burst cylinder head disabled the vessel near Kingston, Ontario, requiring repairs.

•1889 Rebuild: The Tug underwent significant upgrades, including the installation of a new boiler and engine modifications by the Kingston Locomotive Works.

Later Years

•The JESSIE HALL changed ownership multiple times:

•1909: Sold to Thomas Ganley, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

•1914: Owned by Matthew F. Griffith, Sault Ste. Marie.

•1915–1935: Operated by Charles W. Cox, Port Arthur, Ontario.

•1936: Purchased by the Pulpwood Co., Appleton, Wisconsin.

Despite its age, the vessel continued to serve as a reliable Tug, adapting to evolving industrial needs on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: October 1, 1936

•Cause: Unknown; the vessel Foundered in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior.

•Crew/Casualties: No details available.

•Current Status: The wreck has not been definitively located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the JESSIE HALL. Given the uncertainty of its wreck’s location, no specific advisories are issued for Thunder Bay in connection with this vessel.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the JESSIE HALL has not been identified. The vessel is presumed to rest somewhere in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the wreck is unknown, but as a wooden vessel submerged since 1936, it is likely significantly deteriorated. If found, it would hold historical significance and could serve as an interesting subject for archaeological exploration.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Montreal Transportation Co. Archives

•Bowling Green State University Maritime Collection

Analysis

The JESSIE HALL reflects the resilience and adaptability of 19th-century wooden tugs on the Great Lakes. Its nearly 70-year service life, marked by frequent repairs, collisions, and upgrades, underscores the challenges and durability of these vessels in a demanding maritime environment. The Tug’s final loss in 1936 remains a mystery, but it adds to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes shipwreck lore.

Conclusion

The JESSIE HALL stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of small but significant vessels in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Though its location remains undiscovered, the Tug’s long operational history and eventual loss highlight the challenges of navigation and commerce in one of North America’s most dynamic inland waterways.

Keywords

JESSIE HALL, Tugboat, Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, Wooden Screw Tug, Shipwreck, Great Lakes History, 19th Century Maritime.