Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Joe Milton
- Type: Wooden propeller fish tug and passenger boat
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: Wood
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Near Summer Island, Lake Superior
- Coordinates: Not documented
- Official Number: C94712
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller fish tug and passenger boat.
Description
The Joe Milton was built in 1891 in Port Stanley, Ontario, by the shipyard known as ‘Wood’. It served primarily as a fish tug and a small passenger vessel on Lake Huron.
History
Built in 1891 and operating on Lake Huron, the Joe Milton served both fishing and passenger needs. On June 13, 1904, she struck a reef (likely Summer Island), which broke her key structural arch supports. After taking on water, she was left beached or tied in place, but a subsequent gale tore her to pieces—a total loss. Reports suggest she wrecked quickly during the storm.
Significant Incidents
- June 13, 1904: Struck a reef, damaging her hull and leading to a leak.
- Subsequent gale forces destroyed the vessel, resulting in a total loss.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss after being torn apart by gale forces. No salvage efforts were documented, and the remains were abandoned on or near Summer Island’s shore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
While her wreck is recorded, no precise charted location or GPS coordinates have been documented. It’s presumed her remains lie scattered on or near Summer Island, Lake Superior.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”joe-milton-c-94712″ title=”References & Links”]
The Joe Milton, a wooden fish tug and passenger boat built in 1891, was lost on June 13, 1904, after striking a reef (likely near Summer Island), taking on water, and being destroyed by a gale. No crew casualties are recorded, but the vessel was broken up and abandoned. Her remains remain uncharted and serve as a maritime warning near reef-strewn waters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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