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.
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.
JWooden Steamer, 1889 – Thunder Bay ON Graveyard
Registry & Technical Specifications
- Original Build: Launched in 1889 at Marine City, Michigan by Martin Lester, commissioned by Curtis & Brainard of Toledo, OH (OCLC).
- Official Numbers: U.S. 126590, later sold to Canada in 1919 and re-registered as Canadian Official No. 141378 (OCLC).
- Initial Name & Service: Built as American Cherokee and towed the barge Chippewa for years; renamed Jed in 1921 after a rebuild (OCLC).
- Ownership Progression:
- 1904: W.S. Brainard (Toledo, OH)
- 1912–1915: Shannon & Garey (Saginaw, MI)
- 1919: Purchased by Canada Steamship Lines, Montreal
- 1921: Under Capt. J.F. Sowards, Kingston, ON
- 1923: Acquired by Woodward & Co., Winnipeg, MB (OCLC).
Wreck Significance & Sanctuary Status
- The wreck lies within the Canadian zone of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of the region’s most historically significant underwater archaeological sites (Wikipedia).
- As part of “Shipwreck Alley,” it provides insight into the evolution from sail to steam freighters on Lake Huron (marinesanctuary.org).
Newspaper Archival Search Suggestions
To enrich her chronology and voyages, consider these targeted search queries using Newspapers.com and other archives:
- Launch Era (1889): “American Cherokee” steamer Marine City 1889
- Transition to ‘Jed’ (1921): “Jed” steamer Jed renamed Kingston 1921
- Wreck or End-of-Service Events (Post-1923): “Jed” steam barge wreck Lake Huron 1920s
These searches may uncover launch notices, ownership transfers, and final fate news.
Dive Site Documentation
- As a recognized Thunder Bay NMS wreck, detailed reconnaissance exists:
- NOAA dive/ROV logs
- Photogrammetry models
- Condition reports on hull preservation and threats (e.g., invasive mussels) (Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, OCLC, archaeology.org, Wikipedia, marinesanctuary.org)
Planning a dive survey or public outreach materials could build on these assets.
Storytelling Journey — “From Cherokee to Jed”
You might structure her narrative arc as follows:
- Birth in Marine City (1889): Constructed as American Cherokee for the freight and barge trade.
- Towing the Chippewa: Reflects early steam barge operations and cargo logistics on the Great Lakes.
- Ownership Transitions (1904–1919): Reflects shifting freight routes and economic centers in the region.
- Canadian Re-Registry & Renaming (1919–1921): Shift in operation under Canada Steamship Lines and eventual rebuild.
- Final Chapter: Likely decommissioned or abandoned in Canadian waters, becoming the wreck “Jed” preserved within the sanctuary.
- Modern Rediscovery: Documented underwater archaeological remains now accessible for dive tours and conservation.
Next Steps Overview
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Registry Retrieval | Obtain U.S. and Canadian registry entries and builder archives |
| News Archive Search | Run queries for launch, renaming, and decommission notices |
| NOAA Site Data Request | Gather condition reports, dive logs, ROV imaging |
| Narrative Drafting | Integrate registry, newspaper, and site data into a cohesive story |