Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Grace US 208971

Explore the wreck of the Grace, a wooden fishing tug lost in 1913, with all crew surviving the incident. Dive into its history and current condition.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Grace
  • Type: Gas-screw fishing tug (propeller-driven wooden vessel)
  • Year Built: 1901
  • Builder: John Ommundson, Jackson Harbour, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 28 × 9 × 3 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 7 gross and 7 net tons
  • Location: North Bay, Door County, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 208971

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

A gas-screw fishing tug, the Grace was designed for hauling nets and fishing equipment, contributing to the local fishing fleet operating out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Description

The Grace was a compact wooden vessel measuring approximately 28 feet in length, 9 feet in beam, and 3 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 7 gross and 7 net tons, making it suitable for its intended purpose in the fishing industry.

History

Built in 1901 by John Ommundson in Jackson Harbour, Wisconsin, the Grace served as a fishing tug, primarily operating out of Milwaukee. It played a role in the local fishing industry, assisting in the transportation of fishing gear and equipment.

Significant Incidents

  • On August 22, 1913, the Grace stranded on the shoals of North Bay, likely due to storm conditions. No detailed weather reports were available to confirm the exact circumstances.
  • The vessel was declared a total loss, completely wrecked and not recovered.
  • All crew members survived the incident, although specific details regarding their rescue or evacuation are not documented.

Final Disposition

The Grace was lost on August 22, 1913, and is considered a total constructive loss. The wreck remains unlocated, and no recovery efforts have been documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, the exact location of the wreck of the Grace is unknown. Further investigation, including side-scan sonar surveys, is recommended to locate the wreck and assess its condition.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”grace-us-208971″ title=”References & Links”]

The Grace represents a significant piece of maritime history in the Great Lakes region. While the vessel was lost due to storm-related stranding, the survival of its crew highlights the resilience of those who worked on the water. Continued research and exploration may uncover more about this vessel’s final moments and its resting place.

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
  • Official No.: 208971
  • Type: Gas‑screw fishing tug (propeller-driven wooden vessel)
  • Built: 1901 by John Ommundson, Jackson Harbour, Wisconsin
  • Route: Out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Loss Date: August 22, 1913
  • Location: North Bay, Door County, Lake Michigan
  • Cause of Loss: Stranded—suspected storm conditions; total constructive loss
  • Cargo: Fishing gear onboard
  • Casualties: None; no crew lost (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)

Vessel Description & Purpose

  • A compact wooden gas-screw fishing tug, designed for hauling nets and equipment, measuring roughly 28 × 9 × 3 ft with only 7 gross and 7 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Part of Milwaukee’s fishing fleet, operating out of local harbors to Lake Michigan fishing grounds.

Final Voyage & Wreck Details

  • On August 22, 1913, Grace stranded on the shoals of North Bay under what is presumed to be storm force conditions; no detailed weather report or storm data was recorded.
  • The vessel is described as “a total loss”—completely wrecked and not recovered (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, manitouislandsarchives.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • No lives were lost; crew escape was successful, though exact rescue or evacuation details are absent in available records.

Archival Sources & Historical Records

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“G” list): Concise incident record, confirming date, type, location, and loss details (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Michigan Great Lakes Heritage Conservation archives hold vessel registry information (official number, build details).

Research Gaps & Next Steps

AreaRecommended Investigation
Exact wreck locationConsult NOAA or Wisconsin historical surveys for North Bay nautical charts; use side-scan sonar around suspected shoal area.
Weather conditionsAnalyze U.S. Weather Bureau logs (Aug 1913) for Lake Michigan to determine if gale-force winds or sudden squall occurred.
Crew & ownershipObtain vessel enrollment documents from Wisconsin State Archives; local newspaper archives in Milwaukee or Sturgeon Bay may report crew escape or aftermath.
Physical wreck remainsLake-bottom surveys and photographic evidence may exist in Wisconsin Maritime Museum or Door County maritime collections.

Conclusion

Grace was a small wooden fishing tug lost on August 22, 1913, likely due to storm‑related stranding near Door County, Wisconsin. All crew survived, but the vessel was declared a total loss. The incident is succinctly documented in registry files, but details on her final moments, weather context, or any remaining wreckage remain absent. Further technical or archival research—like sonar mapping, weather-analysis, and local maritime museum outreach—could help fill in these gaps.

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