Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George N
- Type: Propeller tug (wooden hull)
- Year Built: 1905
- Builder: Sault Ste. Marie, MI
- Dimensions: Approximately 55 ft (16.76 m) long × 11 ft; 5 ft depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 10 gross / 7 net tons
- Location: Entered Sturgeon River near L’Anse, MI
- Official Number: 202896
- Original Owners: Marquette, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The George N was a wooden propeller tug designed for towing and harbor operations, primarily serving routes on Lake Superior.
Description
Constructed in 1905, the George N was a small utility tug with a single screw, steam-powered propulsion system. It measured approximately 55 feet in length and had a beam of 11 feet and a depth of 5 feet.
History
The George N was launched from a shipyard in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and entered service likely in Marquette’s towing and harbor operations. On May 10, 1914, while near the mouth of the Sturgeon River, the vessel began taking on water and subsequently sank. The entire crew survived the incident, and there was no reported cargo, indicating it may have been on a positioning or maintenance mission.
Significant Incidents
- May 10, 1914: The George N began taking on water near the mouth of Sturgeon River, leading to its foundering. The vessel sank in relatively shallow waters, and no lives were lost.
Final Disposition
The George N foundered and was lost in the lower Sturgeon River estuary near L’Anse, Michigan. The specifics of the leak that caused the sinking remain unreported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located within the lower Sturgeon River estuary. The depth and condition of the wreck are likely shallow with potential sediment coverage. No modern survey has confirmed the wreck’s existence, and it is not marked as a navigational hazard.
Resources & Links
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The George N was a small wooden propeller tug that met its end in the Sturgeon River on May 10, 1914. With no casualties reported, the wreck remains a modest yet significant part of the maritime history of Lake Superior.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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