Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.J. Carroll II
- Type: Wooden diesel-powered fish tug
- Year Built: 1908
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approximately 63 ft (19.2 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Approximately 6 miles east of Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden diesel-powered fish tug.
Description
The J.J. Carroll II was a 63-foot wooden fish tug launched in 1908. On October 12, 1939, she slipped her moorings, collided with a submerged bar 6 miles east of Fairport Harbor, and sank. There were no people aboard, and no mishaps occurred beyond the loss of the vessel itself.
History
The J.J. Carroll II was primarily engaged in fishing operations on Lake Erie. The vessel was built in 1908 and served the fishing industry for several decades before her loss.
Significant Incidents
- Date: October 12, 1939
- Location: Approximately 6 miles east of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Event: Vessel drifted away from her dock unattended. While adrift, she struck a submerged bar and sank close to shore.
- Status: No one was aboard at the time—no casualties, injuries, or rescues noted—making her a straightforward case of foundering while unmanned.
Final Disposition
The J.J. Carroll II was confirmed to have sunk after drifting from her dock and striking a submerged bar. The incident was straightforward, with no casualties reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented in the available sources. Further research may be needed to assess the wreck’s state and accessibility for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-j-carroll-ii-1908″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research into the J.J. Carroll II may provide insights into her operational history, the circumstances surrounding her loss, and the conditions on Lake Erie at the time of the incident.
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.
(Wooden diesel fish tug, built 1908; foundered October 12, 1939)
Vessel Overview
- Type: Wooden diesel-powered fish tug
- Built: 1908
- Length: Approximately 63 ft
- Task: Fishing operations on Lake Erie
Incident Overview
- Date: October 12, 1939
- Location: Approximately 6 miles east of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Event: Vessel drifted away from her dock unattended. While adrift, she struck a submerged bar and sank close to shore.
- Status: No one was aboard at the time—no casualties, injuries, or rescues noted—making her a straightforward case of foundering while unmanned. (alcheminc.com)
Summary
The J.J. Carroll II was a 63-foot wooden fish tug launched in 1908. On October 12, 1939, she slipped her moorings, collided with a submerged bar 6 miles east of Fairport Harbor, and sank. There were no people aboard, and no mishaps occurred beyond the loss of the vessel itself.
Potential Avenues for Further Research
| Research Focus | Purpose | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Exact dock details | To understand how she drifted off | Fairport Harbor records; U.S. Coast Guard patrol logs |
| Rescue or recovery efforts | To see if any salvage occurred | Great Lakes Towboat company files; marine insurers |
| Weather and lake conditions | Could explain why she drifted and struck bar | NOAA archives; regional weather reports October 1939 |
| Fishery company history | Context on ownership and operational period | Local maritime and business archives in Fairport, OH |
- Search local October 1939 newspapers from Fairport or Cleveland for dock photos or incident details?
- Check U.S. Coast Guard or harbor master logs for patrol or cleanup records?
- Investigate NOAA or lake weather logs to see conditions that day?