Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jas. H. Pellett
- Type: Wooden Steam Barge
- Year Built: c. 1905
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 6,800 long tons (capacity class)
- Location: Near Cheboygan, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Steam Barge — Lake Huron
Description
The Jas. H. Pellett is classified as a wooden steam barge, typical of small-scale bulk or general freight operations on Lake Huron. It was presumably employed in bulk freight transport, such as coal, ore, or stone, which was common for early 20th-century Great Lakes barges.
History
The Jas. H. Pellett was in service from approximately 1905 until its loss in 1943. It operated primarily around Cheboygan, Michigan, on Lake Huron. On July 2, 1943, the vessel reportedly suffered a hull failure and sank. Fortunately, both crew members aboard survived the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Date & Conditions: 2 July 1943 — likely calm summer conditions given the July date, without mention of storm.
- Sequence: Hull structural failure led to the vessel sinking. Crew abandoned the vessel and survived. Cargo details were unreported.
- Casualties: None (no crew members lost).
Final Disposition
The Jas. H. Pellett sank and was deemed a total loss, with no mention of salvage or recovery efforts. The wreck location is undocumented and presumably unvisited by divers, with no formal survey recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current known condition of the wreck is unknown, as there are no modern exploration or dive logs associated with this wreck. It may lie in shallow nearshore waters off Cheboygan, MI, but without coordinates, dive access remains speculative.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”jas-h-pellett-c1902″ title=”References & Links”]
The Jas. H. Pellett, a wooden steam barge in service from c. 1905, suffered catastrophic hull failure on 2 July 1943 near Cheboygan, Michigan. The vessel sank, but both crew members survived. Registered capacity is listed at 6,800 long tons, suggesting a substantial freight role. No wreck survey is known, and further archival research—particularly in regional shipping records and newspapers—is required to flesh out her build, cargo, ownership, and final resting place.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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