Screw Wooden River Tug JESSIE HALL #
1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The JESSIE HALL was a screw wooden river tug built in 1867 by Van Slyke & G.H. Notter in Buffalo, New York. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 56.54 tons and a net tonnage of 29 tons. It measured 83.5 feet (25.4 meters) in length. Originally equipped with a single-cylinder engine producing 100 horsepower, the tug later received a compound fore and aft engine (referred to as a steeple engine in some sources) with 95 indicated horsepower and 120 rated horsepower. Over the years, the JESSIE HALL underwent several changes and upgrades, including a rebuild in 1889, which involved receiving a new boiler and having its engine compounded by Kingston Locomotive Works.
3. HISTORY #
The JESSIE HALL had a long and eventful history, serving various owners and enduring numerous incidents. Originally owned by Hall & Gardiner of Ogdensburg, New York, the tug was sold to the St. Lawrence & Chicago Forwarding Co. in 1874 and came under Canadian registry. Throughout its operational life, the JESSIE HALL experienced several significant events, including sinking on a shoal off Refugee Island in the St. Lawrence River in May 1878. The vessel was subsequently raised and taken to Montreal for repairs.
In October 1880, the tug collided with the American schooner EMERALD, resulting in damage to the schooner’s bowsprit. The JESSIE HALL continued to face mechanical issues, such as a burst cylinder head in June 1883, which required it to be towed back to Kingston for repairs. A rebuild in 1889 further extended the tug’s operational life.
The ownership of the JESSIE HALL changed hands several times over the years. In 1909, the Montreal Transportation Co. sold the tug to Thomas Ganley of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. By 1914, it was owned by Matthew F. Griffith of Sault Ste. Marie, and from at least 1915 to 1935, it was owned by Charles W. Cox of Port Arthur, Ontario. In 1936, the Pulpwood Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin, acquired the vessel, although it remained registered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The JESSIE HALL met its final fate on October 1, 1936, when it foundered in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. The circumstances leading to its sinking are not well documented, but the tug ultimately sank, marking the end of its nearly 70-year service on the Great Lakes.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the JESSIE HALL. The location of the wreck remains unspecified.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the JESSIE HALL has not been located, or details of its location are not readily available. The tug is presumed to have sunk in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, on October 1, 1936.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Since the wreck of the JESSIE HALL has not been definitively located, its current condition and accessibility are unknown. If found, the site would likely be of interest to maritime historians and divers, though the condition of a wooden vessel after several decades underwater may be significantly deteriorated.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Montreal Transportation Co. Annual Directors’ Reports
- Green’s “Steam Vessels and Marine Engines”
- Various ship registries and databases
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The history of the JESSIE HALL reflects the challenges faced by tugboats operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s frequent mechanical issues and collisions, combined with its eventual sinking, underscore the hazards of maritime operations in this region. The tug’s long service life and multiple ownerships demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of these workhorse vessels.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
As the wreck of the JESSIE HALL has not been located, diving is not currently possible. If the wreck were to be discovered, it would likely require advanced diving skills due to potential depth and the condition of the wooden structure. Any exploration should be conducted with respect for the historical significance of the site.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Tugboat
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
CONCLUSION #
The screw wooden river tug JESSIE HALL, built in 1867, served on the Great Lakes for nearly 70 years before foundering in Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, in 1936. The tug’s long and eventful history, marked by mechanical issues, collisions, and multiple ownerships, highlights the challenges faced by maritime operators during this period. Although the exact location of the wreck remains unknown, the JESSIE HALL remains an important part of Great Lakes maritime history.
