Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hazel
- Type: Wooden steam tug
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: Built at Washburn, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 39.7 ft (12.1 m) × 9.0 ft (2.7 m) × 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 11 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Nearshore, east of Soo Line ore dock, Ashland, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: N 46° 36.164′, W 090° 52.215′
- Official Number: 96293
- Original Owners: J.H. Maxim
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Hazel was a small wooden steam tug, typical of the harbor and rafting tugs that operated in the Chequamegon Bay and Apostle Islands region.
Description
The Hazel was built in 1893 and measured just under 40 feet long. Weighing 11 gross tons, she played a crucial role in moving log rafts and assisting larger vessels in port.
History
Owned by J.H. Maxim, the Hazel was primarily used for rafting logs in Chequamegon waters. She remained registered until 1920, but by the early 20th century, smaller tugs like her became less common due to the rise of larger steel workboats.
Significant Incidents
- 1921: The Hazel was abandoned when Maxim moved to Park Falls, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
In 1921, the Hazel was listed as abandoned and left nearshore just east of the Soo Line ore dock in Ashland, Wisconsin. Over time, the vessel deteriorated in shallow water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in very shallow water (<10 ft), with little of the structure surviving above sediments. The site consists of scattered timbers and possible lower hull remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hazel-us-96293″ title=”References & Links”]
The Hazel serves as a reminder of the small-scale maritime operations that once thrived in the region, though little remains of her structure today.
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 Card (Site Style)
Other Names: None
Official Number: 96293
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden steam tug
Builder: Built at Washburn, Wisconsin
Year Built: 1893
Dimensions: 39.7 ft (12.1 m) × 9.0 ft (2.7 m) × 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
Tonnage: 11 gross tons
Propulsion: Steam screw
Number of Masts: 0
Cargo on Final Voyage: None
Date of Loss: 1921 (abandoned)
Cause of Loss: Abandonment after end of service
Final Location: Nearshore, east of Soo Line ore dock, Ashland, Wisconsin, Lake Superior
Coordinates: N 46° 36.164′, W 090° 52.215′ (Google Maps link)
Depth: Shallow (<10 ft / 3 m)
Home Port: Marquette, Michigan
Owners: J.H. Maxim
Crew: None aboard at abandonment
Casualties: None
Description
The Hazel was a small wooden steam tug built in 1893 at Washburn, Wisconsin. Measuring just under 40 feet long and weighing 11 gross tons, she was typical of the small harbor and rafting tugs that worked throughout Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands region. Such vessels were vital for moving log rafts, assisting larger ships in port, and handling industrial work along Lake Superior’s south shore.
History
The tug was owned and operated by J.H. Maxim, who used her primarily for rafting logs in Chequamegon waters. She was enrolled at Marquette, Michigan, and remained in registry through 1920. By the early 20th century, tugs like the Hazel faced obsolescence with the rise of larger steel workboats and declining reliance on small-scale rafting operations.
Final Disposition
In 1921, the Hazel was listed as abandoned. According to James M. Keller (*The Unholy Apostles*), the vessel was simply left behind when Maxim moved to Park Falls, Wisconsin. The remains were left nearshore just east of the Soo Line ore dock in Ashland, Wisconsin. Over time, the tug deteriorated in shallow water, with wreckage partly buried under sediments.
Current Wreck Site
The wreck lies in very shallow water (<10 ft), parallel to the shoreline east of the Soo Line ore dock in Ashland. Little of the structure is reported to survive above sediments. The site consists of scattered timbers and possible lower hull remains.
Located By & Date Found
Known since abandonment (1921). Documented in Keller’s *The Unholy Apostles*. No modern archaeological survey recorded.
Notmars & Advisories
None issued. Wreck not a navigation hazard.
Dive Information
Access: Shore dive or snorkel possible east of Soo Line ore dock
Entry Point: Ashland, Wisconsin
Conditions: Shallow water, limited remains, shifting sediments
Depth Range: 3–10 ft (1–3 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Station Bayfield, WI
Permits: Required for excavation or artifact recovery
Dive Support: Local recreational dive shops in Ashland and Bayfield
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No casualties associated with this vessel. No known memorials.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The vessel (Hazel) was simply abandoned when Maxim (the owner/captain) moved to Park Falls, Wisconsin. The remains lie near shore just east of the Soo Line ore dock in Ashland.” — James M. Keller, *The Unholy Apostles: Tales of Chequamegon Shipwrecks*.
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official Number 96293. Built Washburn, WI, 1893. Owned by J.H. Maxim. Registered at Marquette, Michigan until 1920. Listed as abandoned in 1921. Insurance trail unknown.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No formal archaeological survey completed. Keller’s historical notes place the wreck east of Ashland’s Soo Line ore dock in shallow water.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Historical Society – Maritime Preservation Program
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Keller, James M. *The Unholy Apostles: Tales of Chequamegon Shipwrecks*
References
- U.S. Enrollment Records, Official No. 96293.
- Keller, James M. *The Unholy Apostles: Tales of Chequamegon Shipwrecks*.
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL).
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: 96293
Coordinates: N 46° 36.164′, W 090° 52.215′ (Google Maps link)
Depth: Shallow, 3–10 ft (1–3 m)
Location Description: East of Soo Line ore dock, Ashland, Wisconsin, Lake Superior
Vessel Type: Wooden steam tug
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 39.7 × 9.0 × 4.5 ft; 11 gross tons
Condition: Abandoned, remains scattered and buried
Cause of Loss: Abandonment, 1921
Discovery Date: 1921 (loss recorded)
Discovered By: N/A
Method: Historical record
Legal Notes: Protected under Wisconsin state law
Hazards: None
Permits Required: Yes, for excavation