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: J. M. Lee
• Built: 1888; details on builder and yard remain unverified.
• Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam vessel (likely freighter or tug).
• Loss: August 1913, on Lake Huron
• Cause: Fire — burned to total loss. No fatalities reported (“none”)
• Last Route: Operating on Lake Huron at time of loss

Note: The Great Lakes Storm of November 1913 severely impacted Lake Huron, but J. M. Lee fell victim earlier that summer, in August — unrelated to that storm (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Circumstances of Loss

While specific logs of the incident have yet to be located, the record indicates a fire aboard in August 1913 resulted in a total loss. No crew members were lost. The fire most likely originated in the vessel’s machinery spaces or galley—typical ignition points—leading to a catastrophic hull fire that consumed the ship.

Vessel Type & Construction

Given her timeframe and construction, J. M. Lee was likely a wooden propeller-driven freighter or tug, ranging between 100–300 gross tons (standard for the era). Further technical specs—like dimensions, tonnage, engine configuration, and builder—require additional archival digging.

Operational Career

• Trade Area: Active on Lake Huron, potentially carrying timber, coal, ore, or general freight
• Service Record: No major incidents recorded prior to 1913. Her loss appears singular and specific to the fire event.

Wreck Site & Condition

• Location: Western Lake Huron (exact coordinates unknown)
• Status: Unlocated; no diver surveys or remote-sensing expeditions recorded
• Condition: Likely burned wreckage sunk where she burned, possibly in moderate/greater than 50 ft depth

Warnings & Notices

No official Notices to Mariners or navigational hazard bulletins are known to have been issued in her case.

Sources & Validation

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files list notes: “fire‑none? Burned to total loss. Huron” — confirming fire loss, no fatalities, in Lake Huron, August 1913. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
• Historical context confirms J. M. Lee‘s loss precedes but is near the time of the 1913 “Big Blow” storm. (Wikipedia)

Research Gaps & Next Steps

Area	Recommended Research
Builder & Specifications	Investigate 1888 shipping registries and vessel enrollment records for details on yard, dimensions, tonnage
Incident Records	Search August 1913 newspapers (Bay City Times, Port Huron Daily Times, Sault Star) for fire origin, cargo, or crew lists
Insurance & Survey Reports	Review US/Canadian maritime incident logs, underwriters’ claims archives
Wreck Location	Conduct side-scan sonar/ROV survey in probable Lake Huron region used by small wooden steamers in early 20th century

Significance

J. M. Lee‘s demise by fire represents a typical hazard for wooden steam vessels of her era—especially those operating in basic cargo runs on the Great Lakes. Though no lives were lost, the total loss provides a missing piece in understanding early 20th-century small-steamer operation and safety vulnerabilities.

Conclusion: The J. M. Lee remains insufficiently documented, with essential data on her construction, ownership, and final location still outstanding. Pursuing ship registries, newspaper archives, and possibly an archaeological survey could significantly enhance our understanding of her story and material remnants.

j-m-lee-1888 1913-08-20 12:43:00