Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James E. Eagle
- Type: Wooden screw tug
- Year Built: 1859
- Builder: Charles Hindman at Algonac, Michigan
- Dimensions: 120 ft (36.6 m) × 21 ft (6.4 m) × 8 ft (2.4 m); 137 tons gross
- Registered Tonnage: 137 tons gross
- Location: Saginaw Bay, near Bay City, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 13668
- Original Owners: R. Burlington, Port Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The James E. Eagle was a wooden screw tug originally launched as a passenger steamer, later repurposed for towing operations.
Description
At approximately 4 AM on August 8, 1869, while towing a log raft in Saginaw Bay, James E. Eagle caught fire and was burned to a total loss. The fire engulfed the vessel while it remained under way; the crew only escaped by launching the yawl and drifting away. The burning hull continued steaming before sinking. The total financial loss was estimated at approximately $10,000.
History
The James E. Eagle was owned by R. Burlington of Port Huron and captained by Robert McNeff. The vessel was involved in towing operations, specifically a log raft, when the incident occurred.
Significant Incidents
- August 8, 1869: Caught fire during towing operations in Saginaw Bay, resulting in total loss.
Final Disposition
The vessel was burned to a total loss and sank in Saginaw Bay. The probable site of the wreck is in southern Saginaw Bay, where a concentrated debris field of burned wood and metal may exist.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the James E. Eagle are likely scattered charred timber, iron fittings, and engine remnants due to the wooden hull being burned through.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-e-eagle-us-13668″ title=”References & Links”]
The James E. Eagle represents the evolution of mid-19th-century steam tugs and highlights the hazards of early steam towing operations on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →