Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: EAGLE
- Type: Steel-Hulled Fishing Tug
- Year Built: 1956
- Builder: Louis J. Igielski, Michigan City, Indiana
- Dimensions: Length: 31 ft (9.45 m); Beam: 8.33 ft (2.54 m); Depth of hold: 4.42 ft (1.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 10 tons; Net Tonnage: 6 tons
- Location: Unknown
- Original Owners: Louis J. Igielski (1961-1977)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Steel-Hulled Fishing Tug
Description
The EAGLE was built in 1956 by Louis J. Igielski in Michigan City, Indiana, and served as a fishing tug. The vessel’s small size and steel hull made it ideal for nearshore fishing operations on the Great Lakes.
History
The EAGLE remained under the ownership of its builder, Louis J. Igielski, for over two decades, from 1961 until 1977. In September 1977, the EAGLE was officially dropped from documentation, signifying its abandonment. No further records of its use or fate are available, leaving its final disposition uncertain.
Significant Incidents
- Officially abandoned in September 1977.
- No documentation on whether the vessel was scrapped, scuttled, or remains submerged as a wreck.
Final Disposition
The EAGLE represents the small fishing vessels that were once a common sight on the Great Lakes, supporting local economies and communities. While its specific history lacks notable events, it reflects the utilitarian design and purpose-driven construction of mid-20th-century Great Lakes fishing tugs.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The ultimate fate of the EAGLE remains unclear, leaving an open-ended chapter in the history of small-scale fishing on the lakes. Whether scrapped or resting in an unknown location, the EAGLE‘s story underscores the transient nature of such utilitarian craft and their fleeting yet vital role in Great Lakes maritime history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eagle” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The EAGLE, a steel-hulled fishing tug built in 1956, served as a testament to the hardworking vessels that dotted the Great Lakes in the mid-20th century. Officially abandoned in 1977, its ultimate fate remains unclear.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →