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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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