Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eddie S.
- Type: Wooden (likely) or light-steel fishing or small service craft
- Year Built: 1933
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Off the mouth of an unnamed harbor on Lake Superior
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden (likely) or light-steel fishing or small service craft.
Description
The Eddie S. was a fishing or small service craft that tragically foundered in a sudden squall on May 22, 1945. The vessel was caught in a 55 mph squall off the harbor’s entrance, which overwhelmed it, leading to its capsizing and sinking.
History
Built in 1933, the Eddie S. served in the fishing or small service industry until its loss in 1945. The vessel was manned by a crew of three at the time of its sinking.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in an unexpected 55 mph squall off the harbor’s entrance.
- The sudden high winds overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to capsize and founder quickly.
- Of the three aboard, two perished and one survived—rescued by Superior-area rescuers or nearby vessel(s).
Final Disposition
The Eddie S. sank catastrophically in a sudden squall near a Lake Superior harbor in May 1945, with only one of three crewmembers rescued. The precise location, vessel type, and cargo (if any) remain unknown.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is off the mouth of an unnamed harbor on Lake Superior. The depth is unknown and may lie in deep or nearshore waters depending on storm surge and wave action. The wreck is not charted and is likely broken apart in situ or washed ashore in sections.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eddie-s-1933″ title=”References & Links”]
Next recommended steps include searching targeted regional newspapers for incident narratives, requesting U.S. Coast Guard incident/rescue logs, and checking municipal harbor logbooks or oral history collections for references to the Eddie S.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Basic Details
- Name: Eddie S.
- Year Built: 1933
- Type: Wooden (likely) or light-steel fishing or small service craft
- Final Fate: Foundered in a sudden squall on May 22, 1945, near a harbor mouth on Lake Superior (exact harbor unspecified)
- Casualties: Only 1 survivor out of 3 crew
Final Voyage & Loss
- Caught in an unexpected 55 mph squall off the harbor’s entrance.
- The sudden high winds overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to capsize and founder quickly.
- Of the three aboard, two perished and one survived—rescued by Superior-area rescuers or nearby vessel(s).
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Off the mouth of an unnamed harbor on Lake Superior (context implies Wisconsin or Michigan UP).
- Depth: Unknown; may lie in deep or nearshore waters depending on storm storm surge and wave action.
- Debris & hazard: Not charted; likely broken apart in situ or washed ashore in sections.
Sources & Further Research Needed
Our preliminary data is from regional shipwreck indexes noting the sudden storm loss in 1945 and the survivor incident. To fill in gaps, here is a targeted research plan:
- Newspaper Archive Search:
- Late May–June 1945 issues of Duluth Herald, Superior Telegram, Marquette Mining Journal, or regional pockets of Superior.
- Keywords: “Eddie S.”, squall, foundered, lake Superior, fishing vessel lost, 2 missing, survivor.
- U.S. Coast Guard Incident Reports / Station Logs:
- Stations servicing harbor mouths on Lake Superior (e.g., Duluth, Marquette) may have accidents and rescue logs.
- File request for May 1945 incident records.
- Onsite Oral Histories / Harbor Records:
- Local museum or historical society in unidentified harbor town may maintain logs noting a 1945 storm loss.
- Weather Records for May 22, 1945:
- Retrieve meteorological records for Superior basin to corroborate the 55 mph squall event.
Summary & Next Steps
- Eddie S. sank catastrophically in a sudden squall near a Lake Superior harbor in May 1945, with only one of three crewmembers rescued.
- Precise location, vessel type, and cargo (if any) remain unknown.
- Next recommended steps:
- Search targeted regional newspapers for incident narratives.
- Request USCG incident/rescue logs.
- Check municipal harbor logbooks or oral history collections for references to Eddie S.