Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.L. MASON (later ELLA G. STONE)
- Type: Tugboat (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Abram Smith
- Dimensions: 69 ft (21 m) X 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 42.45 tons (Gross); 21.23 tons (Net)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.7 m / 9 ft
- Location: West Duluth, Minnesota
- Coordinates: 46° 43' 24" N, 92° 09' 03" W
- Official Number: 135527
- Original Owners: J.B. Smith, L’Anse, Michigan; Ezra T. Williams; Duluth & Iron Range Railroad Company; Lake Superior Contracting & Dredging Company; Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company; Northern Dredge Company
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The E.L. MASON, later known as the ELLA G. STONE, was a wooden-hulled tugboat built for towing and dredging operations on the Great Lakes.
Description
The E.L. MASON was constructed in 1881 in Algonac, Michigan. It featured a plain head and round stern, with a single deck. The vessel was powered by a high-pressure steam engine and was screw-driven.
History
The E.L. MASON was initially enrolled in Marquette, Michigan and changed ownership multiple times throughout its service life, primarily operating in Lake Superior and the Duluth area.
- 1881, Sep 14: Enrolled in Marquette, Michigan.
- 1882, Oct 28: Sold to Ezra T. Williams, L’Anse, Michigan.
- 1883, Jul 14: Purchased by the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad Company, renamed ELLA G. STONE.
- 1918, Oct 12: Destroyed in the Cloquet Fire while tied up at West Duluth.
Significant Incidents
- Cloquet Fire of 1918: The fire destroyed the E.L. MASON along with multiple other vessels while docked at Grassy Point.
Final Disposition
The E.L. MASON was completely destroyed in the Cloquet Fire of 1918, which devastated much of West Duluth’s docks and shipyards. Its registration documents were surrendered on December 18, 1918, marking its official end.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The vessel was never recovered, as it was completely burned and destroyed in the fire. No known remains exist today.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ella-g-stone-e-l-mason” title=”References & Links”]
The story of the E.L. MASON (ELLA G. STONE) is a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, reflecting the impact of the Cloquet Fire on the region’s industrial landscape.
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