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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Grace A. Ruelle—built in 1877 as the propeller tug John Nice, renamed before 1894
• Official number: 75977 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Year built: 1877 at Buffalo by G. Notter, originally as a wooden tug (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Role: Packet/passenger and freight tug, later engaged in “government work” on the Great Lakes (likely dredging or harbor maintenance tasks) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Vessel Type

• A small wooden propeller tug, approximately 39 × 12 × 6 ft, 14 gross tons and 7 net tons—common dimensions for harbour/river tugs of the era (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Description

• Built for the Buffalo Mutual Insurance Co. as a wrecker tug, she had a modest profile suitable for towing, harbor work, and government contract assignments. She received major repairs in 1876 and 1882 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

History & Ownership

• Originally John Nice, later renamed Grace A. Ruelle. Owned by Alexander Ruelle Jr. of Detroit; the vessel operated under Captain Julius LeMay at time of loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
• The vessel had previously been involved in controversy after confiscation by Canadian authorities for illegal garbage dumping in Canadian waters; the U.S. State Department intervened—indicating she worked intimately in cross-border government assignments (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Loss Event

• Date of loss: July 29, 1899
• Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
• Circumstances: During her “government work,” Grace A. Ruelle foundered from unknown causes in Saginaw Bay. She sank in heavy seas while en route to or from a government assignment (digmichnews.cmich.edu).
• Two crew members were aboard at the time:
  • Captain Julius LeMay: attempted to swim toward shore on a makeshift raft; he drowned during the attempt
  • Engineer Fred Sayre: survived and was rescued by the propeller David W. Rust the next day; Sayre was brought ashore at Harbor Beach (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Disposition

• Grace A. Ruelle sank after foundering; the wreck has not been located in modern surveys. Given the small size, she likely lies in moderately deep water in Saginaw Bay.
• No salvage operations are recorded, and no formal hazard advisory was issued.

Notmars & Advisories

• There are no Notices to Mariners or official hazard bulletins referencing the loss of Grace A. Ruelle.

Resources & Archival Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (R‑section) summary of the vessel’s loss, including government work context, casualties, and operational history (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
• Contemporary newspaper account (e.g. Zeeland Record, 11 Aug 1899) describing the foundering, drowning of Capt. LeMay, and rescue of Sayre by steamer Rust (digmichnews.cmich.edu, Revize).

Summary Table

Field	Detail
Vessel Name	Grace A. Ruelle, ex‑John Nice
Official No.	75,977
Built	1877 by G. Notter, Buffalo (wooden propeller tug)
Vessel Type	Tug / packet / freight; ~39 × 12 × 6 ft; 14 gt / 7 nt
Function	Government work (harbor/dredging operations)
Owner	Alexander Ruelle Jr., Detroit
Master	Capt. Julius LeMay
Loss Date	July 29, 1899
Loss Location	Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
Cause	Foundering in unknown heavy-sea conditions
Crew	2 aboard; Captain drowned, engineer rescued
Final Disposition	Sank; wreck unlocated
Casualties	1—Captain LeMay

Analysis & Research Recommendations

• Government contracts and logs: Since Grace A. Ruelle was engaged in government assignments, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers records or Detroit Harbour Commission documents may contain operational logs or incident reports explaining her mission and loss.
• Newspaper archives: The Zeeland Record and other Michigan newspapers from August 1899 provided rescue accounts; further scans of Bay City Tribune or Detroit Free Press might offer witness statements, maritime authority correspondence, or insurance claims.
• CASUALTY and registry files: U.S. vessel enrollment records (National Archives Chicago) might list her registry information and owner/operator details.
• Physical site survey: A targeted sonar survey in Saginaw Bay, particularly along probable travel lanes to Harbor Beach, could locate debris or engine remnants.

Conclusion

Grace A. Ruelle was a late‑19th century tug operating under government contract on Lake Huron. She foundered unexpectedly in Saginaw Bay on July 29, 1899. Despite her small size, the tragedy claimed the life of Captain LeMay, leaving Engineer Sayre as sole survivor. Her loss highlights the risks faced by support vessels performing government tasks on the exposed shallows of the Great Lakes. The wreck remains unlocated, but focused archival research and hydrographic survey may yield new insights.

grace-a-ruelle-us-75977 1899-07-29 19:08:00