Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jed
- Type: Wooden Steamer
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Martin Lester
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Official Number: U.S. 126590, Canadian Official No. 141378
- Original Owners: W.S. Brainard, Shannon & Garey, Canada Steamship Lines, Capt. J.F. Sowards, Woodward & Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Jed is classified as a wooden steamer, originally built for freight and barge operations on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Jed was launched in 1889 as the American Cherokee and was primarily used to tow the barge Chippewa. After a rebuild in 1921, it was renamed Jed and continued to operate under various owners until its eventual loss.
History
Initially built by Martin Lester in Marine City, Michigan, the Jed was commissioned by Curtis & Brainard of Toledo, Ohio. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times, reflecting the shifting economic landscape of the Great Lakes region. It was re-registered in Canada in 1919 and underwent a significant rebuild before being renamed in 1921.
Significant Incidents
- 1904: Acquired by W.S. Brainard (Toledo, OH).
- 1912-1915: Owned by Shannon & Garey (Saginaw, MI).
- 1919: Purchased by Canada Steamship Lines.
- 1921: Operated under Capt. J.F. Sowards in Kingston, ON.
- 1923: Acquired by Woodward & Co. (Winnipeg, MB).
Final Disposition
The Jed likely became decommissioned or abandoned in Canadian waters, eventually becoming a wreck preserved within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Jed is part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where it is protected as a significant underwater archaeological site. Detailed reconnaissance, including NOAA dive logs and condition reports, has been conducted to monitor its preservation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”jed” title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Jed, from its construction as the American Cherokee to its modern rediscovery, highlights the evolution of maritime operations on the Great Lakes and the importance of preserving such historical sites.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →