Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

J.L. Crane

The J.L. Crane sank in a storm on Lake Superior, resulting in the loss of its entire crew. The wreck remains unlocated and uncharted.

GPS: 46.778637, -85.264366

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: J.L. Crane
  • Type: wooden schooner-barge
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Unknown
  • Registered Tonnage: Unknown
  • Location: Near Crisp Point, Lake Superior

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner-barge, tonnage unknown.

Description

The J.L. Crane was a wooden schooner-barge laden with pulpwood. Exact dimensions and official registry are undocumented.

History

The J.L. Crane was towed by the steamer Herman H. Hettler when it encountered severe weather conditions, including high seas and winds reported up to 80 mph. The towing post of the Hettler reportedly tore out, causing the Crane to drift and subsequently sink.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: November 5, 1925
  • Cargo: Pulpwood
  • Tow Vessel: Under tow by the steamer Herman H. Hettler
  • Conditions: High seas with reported winds up to 80 mph
  • Location: Near Crisp Point, Lake Superior (downbound from Pigeon River toward Muskegon)

Final Disposition

The entire crew was lost when the barge sank; no survivors were reported. No salvage attempts were documented, and the vessel was declared lost. The wreck likely lies in deep water near Crisp Point, making recovery unlikely.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The J.L. Crane remains unlocated and uncharted. The precise wreck site is unknown, and the depth likely exceeds snorkelable limits, requiring sonar and ROV survey for further investigation.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-l-crane” title=”References & Links”]

The loss of the J.L. Crane on November 5, 1925, highlights the dangers of tow operations in severe Great Lakes weather. The incident underscores the need for detailed archival and archaeological follow-up to better understand the circumstances surrounding the wreck.

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 schooner-barge, tonnage unknown

Incident Overview

  • Date: November 5, 1925
  • Cargo: Pulpwood
  • Tow Vessel: Under tow by the steamer Herman H. Hettler
  • Conditions: High seas with reported winds up to 80 mph
  • Location: Near Crisp Point, Lake Superior (downbound from Pigeon River toward Muskegon) (WhimSea, US Data)

Circumstances of Loss

While being towed by the Herman H. Hettler, the J.L. Crane encountered massive waves. The towing post of the Hettler reportedly tore out, setting the barge adrift. Witnesses saw the Crane climb a massive wave and then plunge into the trough—forcing her down to the bottom where she sank rapidly (US Data). No survivors were reported aboard the Crane.

Vessel & Tow Information

Outcome & Casualties

  • Crew: Entire crew lost when the barge sank; no survivors.
  • Salvage: No salvage attempts documented; vessel declared lost.
  • The barge likely sank near Crisp Point in relatively deep water, making recovery unlikely.

Archival Notes

  • The incident is listed among Lake Superior shipwrecks of 1925 in several maritime wreck lists (WhimSea, The Mind of James Donahue).
  • Additional details appear in U.S. Life-Saving Service reports, referencing destruction of the towing post and sudden foundering (US Data).

Research Opportunities

  • Crew identities: Unknown—likely listed in Hettler‘s logs or 1925 Life-Saving Service documentation.
  • Towline failure: Corroborated by weather data—an 80 mph storm that day near Crisp Point merits review of U.S. Weather Bureau logs.
  • Wreck site: Precise location uncharted. Depth likely exceeds snorkelable limits, requiring sonar and ROV survey.

Summary

The J.L. Crane was lost on November 5, 1925, after breaking free from its tow during a powerful storm on Lake Superior. The barge ascended a large wave before plunging and sinking—resulting in the loss of its entire crew. No salvage was possible, and the wreck remains unlocated. This incident underscores the dangers of tow operations in severe Great Lakes weather and highlights the need for detailed archival and archaeological follow-up.

j-l-crane 1925-11-05 12:52:00