Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

J. C. Keyes US 12710

Explore the wreck of the J. C. Keyes, a steam tug lost in a storm in 1874, highlighting the challenges of early maritime operations on Lake Superior.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: J. C. Keyes
  • Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Buffalo, New York
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Duluth harbor, Lake Superior
  • Official Number: 12710
  • Original Owners: Based in Duluth, Minnesota

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug (likely converted from a yacht)

Description

The J. C. Keyes was a wooden-hulled propeller steam tug built in 1867 in Buffalo, New York. It was registered under the official number 12710 and was based in Duluth, Minnesota.

History

During a powerful late-season storm on November 7, 1874, the J. C. Keyes broke from her moorings at Duluth and was driven ashore onto the beach by the combined forces of wind, waves, and currents. Although initially there was hope for salvage, the damage was too severe, and the vessel was ultimately abandoned and declared a total loss in 1880.

Significant Incidents

  • Storm on November 7, 1874, caused the vessel to break from moorings and be driven ashore.
  • No casualties reported during the incident.

Final Disposition

  • Salvage Attempted: Initial assessments suggested potential for recovery.
  • Hull Condition: Widespread structural damage likely made restoration uneconomical.
  • Final Outcome: Declared a constructive total loss; hull remained unrecovered as of 1880.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it was declared abandoned and unrecovered by 1880.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-c-keyes-us-12710″ title=”References & Links”]

The J. C. Keyes, a small 1867 Buffalo-built steam tug, was torn from her berth during a violent storm on November 7, 1874, and stranded ashore in Duluth’s harbor. Although considered for salvage, she was left to deteriorate and officially abandoned by 1880. Her wreck highlights the vulnerabilities of early wooden steam tugs to Great Lakes autumn storms and the financial constraints of maritime repair operations during that era.

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.

Built 1867 – Wrecked November 7, 1874

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug (likely converted from a yacht)
  • Built: 1867 in Buffalo, New York
  • Official Number: 12710
  • Owner/Registry: Based in Duluth, Minnesota
  • Loss Date: November 7, 1874
  • Location: Duluth harbor, Lake Superior
  • Casualties: None reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, YouTube, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Incident Summary & Cause of Loss

During a powerful late-season storm on November 7, 1874, the J. C. Keyes broke from her moorings at Duluth and was driven ashore onto the beach by the combined forces of wind, waves, and currents. Although initially there was hope for salvage, the damage was too severe, and the vessel was ultimately abandoned and declared a total loss in 1880 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Disposition

  • Salvage Attempted: Initial assessments suggested potential for recovery
  • Hull Condition: Widespread structural damage likely made restoration uneconomical
  • Final Outcome: Declared a constructive total loss; hull remained unrecovered as of 1880 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Historical Significance & Context

  • Represents the transitional era of early steam tug operations on Lake Superior, critical for supporting expanding harbor and lumber industry logistics
  • Reflects engineering limitations of small wooden steam vessels when facing harsh autumn storms typical of late November
  • The eventual abandonment, despite salvage hopefuls, illustrates the realities of maritime economics and repair feasibility during the 19th century

Sources & Archival Notes

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Technical specifications, incident chronology, and final disposition details provided in the vessel’s entry (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Research Gaps & Next Actions

  • Vessel Specs Confirmation: Locate shipyard records or registry documents to confirm tonnage and design
  • Duluth Press Coverage: Review November 1874 editions of Duluth Minnesotian or Duluth News Tribune for harbor logs, storm reports, or salvage team commentary
  • Salvage Company Notes: Investigate Duluth harbor engineering archives for potential salvage contracts or assessments between 1874–1880
  • Wreck Site Assessment: If hull remains onshore or submerged, a dive or remote-sensing survey could confirm its status and offer heritage documentation

Conclusion

The J. C. Keyes, a small 1867 Buffalo-built steam tug, was torn from her berth during a violent storm on November 7, 1874, and stranded ashore in Duluth’s harbor. Although considered for salvage, she was left to deteriorate and officially abandoned by 1880. Her wreck highlights the vulnerabilities of early wooden steam tugs to Great Lakes autumn storms and the financial constraints of maritime repair operations during that era.

j-c-keyes-us-12710 1874-11-07 15:16:00