Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jim Pullar
- Type: Wooden propeller vessel (coaster and tug)
- Year Built: 1894
- Builder: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Dimensions: 62 ft (18.9 m) × 15 ft (4.6 m) × 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 53 gross tons, 29 net tons
- Location: Near Dog Island, Sturgeon Bay, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 77146 (U.S.), C126045 (Canadian)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller vessel functioning as both a coaster and tug.
Description
The Jim Pullar was a wooden propeller vessel built in 1894, measuring approximately 62 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 53 gross tons and 29 net tons.
History
The Jim Pullar was constructed in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and was initially registered under the U.S. official number 77146. Following its loss in 1909, it was later registered under Canadian registry C126045.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: October 15, 1909
- Location: Near Dog Island, Sturgeon Bay, Lake Superior
- Type of Loss: Fire
- Circumstances: The vessel caught fire unexpectedly, leading to a rapid blaze that consumed the vessel, resulting in a total loss and sinking on site.
- Casualties: None reported; no crew fatalities recorded.
Final Disposition
The Jim Pullar burned to a total loss and sank at the site of the fire. The incident is noted for its significance among fire-related wrecks on Lake Superior.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is believed to be located near Dog Island. Further research and surveys may provide insights into its remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”jim-pullar-us-77146-c-126045″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research avenues include exploring historical newspaper coverage from October 1909, examining registry and ownership records, investigating fire cause reports, and contacting maritime archaeology organizations for potential surveys of the wreck site.
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.
(Propeller Tug & Coaster, built 1894; lost October 15, 1909)
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Original Name: Jim Pullar (sometimes misrecorded as Jim Pullard)
- Built: 1894 at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Official Number: 77146 (U.S.), registered later as Canadian registry C126045 post-1909
- Type & Dimensions: Wooden propeller vessel, functioning as a coaster and tug; approximately 62 × 15 × 8 ft, 53 gross tons, 29 net tons
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Fire Incident (October 15, 1909)
- Location: Near Dog Island, just off Sturgeon Bay, Lake Superior
- Type of Loss: Fire
- Circumstances: Caught fire unexpectedly; the blaze rapidly consumed the vessel. Jim Pullar burned to a total loss and sank on site.
- Casualties: None reported—no crew fatalities recorded at the time of loss
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name & Type | Jim Pullar — wooden coaster/tug |
| Built & Registry | 1894, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; US#77146 |
| Loss Date & Location | October 15, 1909 — Dog Island, Lake Superior |
| Cause of Loss | Severe fire onboard |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Final Status | Burned and sank; total hull loss |
Research Context & Noteworthy Details
- The Jim Pullar‘s loss is cataloged in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, indicating significant notability for fire-related wrecks on Lake Superior. The remote location near Sturgeon Bay and Dog Island suggests she may have been partaking in regional towing or harbor assistance when the fire occurred.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - The conversion of registry to Canadian (C126045) post-fire points to prior transfer in ownership or flag—slightly uncertain but recorded in registry metadata.
Recommended Avenues for Further Research
- Historical Newspaper Coverage
Explore October 1909 editions of regional press such as Sturgeon Bay Journal, Green Bay Press-Gazette, and Duluth News Tribune for fire reports, crew safety accounts, or tug activity around Dog Island. - Registry & Ownership Records
Examine documentation for ownership changes (US to Canadian), including Canadian shipping registries and port logs for vessel history. - Fire Cause Reports & Marine Safety Logs
Investigate U.S. or Canadian marine incident records (e.g., Steamboat Inspection Service) for causes of fire and any findings. - Maritime Archaeology & Wreck Surveys
Contact NOAA or Wisconsin Sea Grant for potential sonar mapping or dive logs near Dog Island that may document the remains or oil slick evidence.