Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jolly Inez
- Type: Steel-hulled turret steamer
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder: William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland, England
- Dimensions: Length: 253 ft (77.1 m); Beam: 45 ft (13.7 m); Depth: 27 ft (8.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,881 GT
- Location: Keweenaw Peninsula, west of Copper Harbor, Lake Superior
- Official Number: C106605
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Jolly Inez was originally a steel-hulled turret steamer, a unique design that was part of a rare class of late-19th-century bulk freighters.
Description
The Turret Chief was built in 1896 and was known for its rounded hull sides, which improved stability in rough waters, reduced canal tolls, and allowed for larger cargo capacities compared to traditional hull designs.
History
The Turret Chief operated on the Great Lakes, primarily carrying grain, coal, and other bulk materials. By the 1910s, it was becoming outdated as larger steel-hulled freighters began to dominate the shipping industry.
Significant Incidents
- November 11, 1913: The vessel was upbound on Lake Superior when it was driven aground by the Great Storm of 1913, suffering heavy damage but with no loss of life.
- 1915: Renamed Vickerstown and later Jolly Inez after being converted into a barge.
- 1927: Stranded in fog on Saddlebag Island, Lake Huron.
Final Disposition
Initially thought to be a total loss in 1913, the vessel was salvaged and later converted into a barge. Its final fate remains uncertain after being abandoned following another stranding in 1927.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed wreck site has been identified, and any remains would likely be scattered near Saddlebag Island, where the vessel stranded in 1927.
Resources & Links
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The Jolly Inez serves as a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes shipping in the early 20th century, having survived one of the worst storms in the region’s history and undergone multiple transformations before its uncertain fate.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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