Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Charles E. Endell
- Type: Screw-propelled wooden tug (towboat)
- Year Built: 1879
- Builder: Joseph Robarge
- Dimensions: Length 57 ft (17.4 m); Beam 12.9 ft (3.9 m); Depth of hold 5.6 ft (1.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 28.87 gt
- Location: Approximately 2 miles west of Whitefish Point
- Official Number: 125773
- Original Owners: A.A. Jenkins, James Reid & Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Charles E. Endell is classified as a screw-propelled wooden tug, also known as a towboat, designed for utility in maritime commerce.
Description
Constructed in 1879 in East Saginaw, Michigan, the Charles E. Endell was built atop the remains of the vessel known as “Star No. 2.” It featured a single-deck wooden hull and was propelled by a single screw propeller.
History
The Charles E. Endell was enrolled in Port Huron under its original owner A.A. Jenkins on October 7, 1879. The vessel suffered a fire in the Saginaw River shortly after its launch but was repaired and re-registered in Cheboygan, Michigan in 1885. By June 4, 1887, it was owned by James Reid & Company, based in St. Ignace, Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- 1879: Burned in Saginaw River but was repaired and rebuilt.
- 1887: Driven ashore in a severe storm on October 8, leading to its total wreck by October 20.
Final Disposition
The Charles E. Endell was lost on October 8, 1887, approximately 2 miles west of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior. The vessel was driven ashore during a severe storm, resulting in its hull being pounded to pieces and declared a total wreck by October 20, 1887.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Charles E. Endell is characterized by its broken remains scattered across an open rock shoreline. Due to the robust surf of Lake Superior, any remnants are likely highly degraded. No organized salvage or dive survey has been reported, and no coordinates or underwater site records exist.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”charles-e-endell-us-125773-star-no-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The Charles E. Endell represents a significant piece of maritime history, illustrating the challenges faced by small wooden steam vessels in the Great Lakes. Its legacy is preserved in shipping registries and storm histories, reflecting the perilous nature of maritime operations during the steam era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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