1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The J.J. CARROLL II began her life as the Joseph T. Sloat, a small wooden freighter built in 1908 by L. Pouliot in Sandusky, Ohio. Measuring 63 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 30 tons, the vessel was typical of the small freighters that plied the Great Lakes at the time. In 1929, following the burning and sinking of the original J.J. Carroll, the vessel was repurposed and rebuilt as a fishing tug, reflecting the adaptability of maritime vessels to the changing needs of their owners and the industry.
3. HISTORY #
The vessel was originally launched as the Joseph T. Sloat, serving as a small freighter on the Great Lakes. Her early years were spent transporting various cargoes, but in 1929, the vessel was rebuilt and renamed J.J. CARROLL II, taking on a new role as a fishing tug. This transformation marked a significant shift in her purpose, as she moved from freight service to supporting the commercial fishing industry on Lake Erie. The vessel operated successfully in this new capacity until her tragic end in 1939.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
On October 12, 1939, the J.J. CARROLL II met her demise under unfortunate circumstances. After drifting away from her dock, the vessel collided with a submerged sandbar approximately six miles east of Fairport, Ohio. The impact was severe enough to cause the vessel to founder, leading to her sinking near the shoreline. Thankfully, no individuals were aboard at the time, so there was no loss of life. The wreckage of the J.J. CARROLL II serves as a reminder of the risks faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes, even in seemingly safe conditions.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are related to the wreck of the J.J. CARROLL II. The exact location of the wreck remains unconfirmed.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the J.J. CARROLL II has not been documented as being located or explored. There is no record of any discovery or investigation of the site.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The current condition of the J.J. CARROLL II is unknown, as the wreck has not been located or identified. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the passage of time since her sinking, any remains are likely to be in a deteriorated state, if they still exist at all.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The J.J. CARROLL II’s story is a fascinating example of how vessels on the Great Lakes were often repurposed to meet changing economic needs. The transformation from a small freighter to a fishing tug is indicative of the versatility required of maritime vessels during the early 20th century. Her eventual loss, while tragic, thankfully did not result in any loss of life, underscoring the importance of safety in maritime operations.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
As the wreck of the J.J. CARROLL II has not been located, there are no specific diving recommendations. Should divers search for the site near Fairport, Ohio, they should exercise caution and be aware that the remains of the vessel may be heavily deteriorated or buried under sediment. Any potential discovery should be reported to local maritime authorities to aid in historical preservation.
TAGS #
- Lake Erie
- 20th Century
- Fishing Tug
- Fairport
- Maritime History
CONCLUSION #
The J.J. CARROLL II, originally launched as the Joseph T. Sloat, is a vessel that witnessed significant transformation over her three-decade career on the Great Lakes. From her origins as a small freighter to her role as a fishing tug, her story reflects the dynamic nature of maritime operations. Though she met a tragic end in 1939, her legacy lives on as a reminder of the ever-changing demands of the Great Lakes shipping industry and the inherent risks of navigating these vast inland waters.
