The JOHN CHASSELL, also known as ECHO, was a propeller steam tug built in 1868 by J.W. Church on Sugar Island, Michigan. Its official number was 75352. The tug had a wooden hull and measured 51 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and 3 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 18.
On October 23, 1876, the JOHN CHASSELL was destroyed by a fire at Portage Entry on Lake Superior. The fire resulted in a reported loss of $4,000, but there is no information available about any loss of life during the incident. The vessel was not carrying any cargo at the time of the fire.
The tug had undergone some changes during its history. In 1867, an octagonal pilot house was added to the vessel. In 1870, it was acquired by Sheldon Brothers of Portage Lake, Michigan, who renamed it JOHN CHASSELL and used it as an excursion boat.
After the sale to Sheldon Brothers, the tug was repurposed for recreational purposes. However, its fate was sealed when it was destroyed by fire in 1876.
