Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS James Carruthers
- Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1913
- Builder: Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Collingwood, Ontario
- Dimensions: 550 ft (167.6 m) x 58 ft (17.7 m) x 27 ft (8.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 7,862 GRT; 5,606 NRT
- Location: Lake Huron (off Michigan’s Thumb, U.S. waters)
- Coordinates: Unknown (site undisclosed)
- Official Number: 131090
- Original Owners: St. Lawrence & Chicago Steam and Navigation Company
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SS James Carruthers was a state-of-the-art steel bulk freighter built in 1913. At 550 ft (167.6 m), she was the largest Canadian-built lake vessel at the time. Powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, she was designed for the heavy transport of bulk cargoes such as wheat, coal, and iron ore across the Great Lakes.
Description
The SS James Carruthers was a steel-hulled bulk freighter, notable for her size and construction. She was equipped to carry large quantities of cargo, primarily wheat, and was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes shipping industry.
History
Commissioned by the St. Lawrence & Chicago Steam and Navigation Company, the vessel entered service in May 1913. On 6 November 1913, she departed Fort William, Ontario, bound for Midland, Ontario with a cargo of 375,000 bushels of wheat. Commanded by Captain William H. Wright, she sailed into the catastrophic Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
The vessel was last sighted entering Lake Huron near De Tour, Michigan, on 9 November 1913. Shortly thereafter, she disappeared. Debris and bodies began washing ashore near Kincardine and Point Clark, Ontario, in the days following the storm, but the wreck itself was not located.
Significant Incidents
- 9 November 1913: Lost during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913, resulting in the loss of all 22 crew members.
Final Disposition
The James Carruthers was lost in the “White Hurricane” of 1913, one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history. All 22 crew perished. For over a century, the wreck remained undiscovered, despite numerous search efforts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
In August 2025, Dave Trotter and Undersea Research Associates announced they had discovered the wreck in U.S. waters of Lake Huron, off Michigan’s Thumb. The wreck reportedly lies inverted on the lakebed. As of now, precise coordinates and depth have not been publicly released. Independent verification from archaeological authorities is pending.
Access to the site is boat only, and conditions are expected to be cold with low visibility and a strong thermocline. Emergency contacts include the U.S. Coast Guard – Great Lakes Sector. Permits are required for research or artifact recovery.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-carruthers-c-131090″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, it is essential to respect the site of the James Carruthers. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. If you encounter any debris or garbage, consider removing it to leave the site better than you found it.
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 recorded
Official Number: 131090 (source)
Registry: Canada (Toronto-based)
Vessel Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter
Builder: Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Collingwood, Ontario
Year Built: 1913
Dimensions: 550 ft (167.6 m) x 58 ft (17.7 m) x 27 ft (8.2 m)
Tonnage: 7,862 GRT; 5,606 NRT
Cargo on Final Voyage: ~375,000 bushels of wheat
Date of Loss: 9 November 1913 (Great Lakes Storm of 1913)
Location: Lake Huron (off Michigan’s Thumb, U.S. waters)
Coordinates: Unknown (site undisclosed)
Depth: Not publicly released
Home Port: Toronto, Ontario
Owners: St. Lawrence & Chicago Steam and Navigation Company
Crew: 22
Casualties: 22 fatalities, no survivors
Description
The SS James Carruthers was a state-of-the-art steel bulk freighter built in 1913. At 550 ft (167.6 m), she was the largest Canadian-built lake vessel at the time. Powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, she was designed for the heavy transport of bulk cargoes such as wheat, coal, and iron ore across the Great Lakes.
History
Commissioned by the St. Lawrence & Chicago Steam and Navigation Company, the vessel entered service in May 1913. On 6 November 1913, she departed Fort William, Ontario, bound for Midland, Ontario with a cargo of 375,000 bushels of wheat. Commanded by Captain William H. Wright, she sailed into the catastrophic Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
The vessel was last sighted entering Lake Huron near De Tour, Michigan, on 9 November 1913. Shortly thereafter, she disappeared. Debris and bodies began washing ashore near Kincardine and Point Clark, Ontario, in the days following the storm, but the wreck itself was not located.
Final Disposition
The James Carruthers was lost in the “White Hurricane” of 1913, one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history. All 22 crew perished. For over a century, the wreck remained undiscovered, despite numerous search efforts.
Located By & Date Found
In August 2025, Dave Trotter and Undersea Research Associates announced they had discovered the wreck in U.S. waters of Lake Huron, off Michigan’s Thumb. The wreck reportedly lies inverted on the lakebed. As of now, precise coordinates and depth have not been publicly released. Independent verification from archaeological authorities is pending.
Notmars & Advisories
No official NOTMARs issued for the wreck area. Further survey and verification are anticipated before formal advisories are posted.
Dive Information
Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Not disclosed
Conditions: Unknown; expected cold, low visibility, strong thermocline
Depth Range: Undisclosed (likely deep water)
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard – Great Lakes Sector
Permits: Required for research or artifact recovery
Dive Support: Specialized technical charters anticipated post-verification
Crew & Casualty Memorials
22 crew lost. Several were recovered along Ontario’s Lake Huron shoreline and buried locally. Crew records and memorials may be researched via Find A Grave and regional archives.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“…he and his group, Undersea Research Associates, have located the remains of the giant ore boat James Carruthers…” – (Preliminary announcement, August 2025).
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Canadian Official Number: 131090. Registered at Toronto, Ontario. Insurance details were handled through Canadian marine underwriters; archival records may be found in Canadian shipping registers and Lloyd’s casualty lists.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Discovery reportedly made by sonar during survey operations in Lake Huron. Imaging (ROV, 3D models) has not yet been released publicly. Documentation pending.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Wikipedia – SS James Carruthers
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- National Museum of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Find A Grave
- Detroit Free Press
- Advanced Diver Magazine
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “SS James Carruthers.”
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: 131090
Coordinates: Not disclosed (2025 discovery)
Depth: Undisclosed
Location Description: Lake Huron, off Michigan’s Thumb
Vessel Type: Steel bulk freighter
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 550 ft × 58 ft × 27 ft; 7,862 GRT
Condition: Inverted hull, reportedly intact
Cause of Loss: Great Lakes Storm, November 1913
Discovery Date: August 2025
Discovered By: Dave Trotter & Undersea Research Associates
Method: Sonar survey
Legal Notes: Registry struck post-loss; ownership subject to U.S./Canadian jurisdictional review
Hazards: Deep water site; limited accessibility
Permits Required: Yes, for survey and diving
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