Mack Jean – Lake Erie Tug Shipwreck (1927)

Explore the remains of the Mack Jean, a wooden fish tug that suffered a total loss due to fire in 1927 while docked in Kingsville, Ontario.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Mack Jean
  • Type: Wooden screw-driven fish tug
  • Year Built: 1898
  • Builder: Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 83 ft (25.3 m); Beam 18 ft; Depth of hold 8 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 146 tons gross
  • Location: Kingsville, Ontario
  • Official Number: C130778
  • Original Owners: J.E. Pastorius, Kingsville, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden screw-driven fish tug

Description

The Mack Jean, originally named C.W. Endress, was a wooden screw-driven fish tug built in 1898. It was primarily used for commercial fishing operations in the Great Lakes region.

History

Initially registered as a U.S. vessel under the name C.W. Endress (US#127288), it was sold to Canadian ownership in 1913 and renamed Mack Jean. The vessel operated in regional commercial fishing until its loss in 1927.

Significant Incidents

  • Final Incident: In August 1927, while docked at Kingsville, Ontario, the Mack Jean caught fire. The fire smoldered overnight and ultimately resulted in a total loss of the vessel. No casualties were reported.

Final Disposition

After the fire, the Mack Jean was hulled out at the dock and remained abandoned thereafter.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Mack Jean is currently abandoned, with no active recovery or preservation efforts reported.

Resources & Links

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The Mack Jean serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by vessels in commercial fishing operations.

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Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

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