Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John J. Long
- Type: Steam-powered vessel
- Year Built: 1894 (estimated)
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Great Lakes (exact lake and coordinates unspecified)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Likely a small steamship designed for regional timber freight and passenger transport, common on the Great Lakes around the turn of the 20th century.
Description
A fire broke out aboard John J. Long on September 3, 1901. Flames quickly spread throughout the superstructure. Although the ship was a total loss, all on board were able to evacuate safely.
History
- Cause: Fire of unknown origin (possibly engine or fuel-related)
- Outcome: Burned to waterline; sank at dock or shortly thereafter
Significant Incidents
- The burned wreck was declared a total loss and not salvaged for repair or reuse.
- Likely scrapped on site once salvage operations were feasible.
Final Disposition
Despite limited surviving documentation, it’s clear that the John J. Long met a fiery end on September 3, 1901 — yet spared its human cargo. Reconstructing her story fully will require deeper archival research into registry entries, fire incident reporting, and marine casualty archives from that era.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Research is ongoing to determine the exact location and condition of the wreck, as well as any remaining artifacts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-j-long-1901″ title=”References & Links”]
Further investigation into ship registries, newspaper archives, and marine board reports is necessary to fill in the gaps of the John J. Long‘s history.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John J. Long
- Type: Steam-powered vessel
- Built: 1894 (estimated)
- Registered: 1901
- Loss Date: September 3, 1901
- Location: Great Lakes (exact lake and coordinates unspecified)
- Casualties: None — crew and any passengers escaped safely
Vessel Type & Function
Likely a small steamship designed for regional timber freight and passenger transport, common on the Great Lakes around the turn of the 20th century.
Circumstances of Loss
A fire broke out aboard John J. Long on September 3, 1901. Flames quickly spread throughout the superstructure. Although the ship was a total loss, all on board were able to evacuate safely.
- Cause: Fire of unknown origin (possibly engine or fuel-related)
- Outcome: Burned to waterline; sank at dock or shortly thereafter
Final Disposition
- The burned wreck was declared a total loss and not salvaged for repair or reuse
- Likely scrapped on site once salvage operations were feasible
Historical Sources
- Brief incident note from the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files archives — summary only, no additional vessel data or eyewitness testimony
- No identified contemporary newspaper reports or Marine Board investigations
Research Gaps
- Construction details (yard, shipbuilder, hull specifications)
- Ownership and registration documentation
- Clear records indicating lake and dock location at time of incident
- Passenger or crew lists
Next Steps for Research
- Ship Registries: Search U.S. vessel registries (1894–1901) for John J. Long to obtain official tonnage and build info
- Newspaper Archives: Review September 1901 issues of Great Lakes port newspapers—Detroit Free Press, Milwaukee Journal, Cleveland Plain Dealer—for fire reports
- Harbor Authority Logs: Investigate dock logs and marine fire records at likely home ports (e.g., Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee)
- Marine Board Reports: Request any surviving vessel fire investigations or insurance claims
Conclusion
Despite limited surviving documentation, it’s clear that the John J. Long met a fiery end on September 3, 1901 — yet spared its human cargo. Reconstructing her story fully will require deeper archival research into registry entries, fire incident reporting, and marine casualty archives from that era.
john-j-long-1901 1901-09-03 09:30:00