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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mack-jean-c-130778-c-w-endress” title=”References & Links”]
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.
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.
(Fish Tug → Fire Loss, 1898–1927)
Vessel Overview
- Built: 1898, by Burger & Burger, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Original Name: C.W. Endress; renamed Mack Jean upon Canadian transfer in 1913
- Official No.: C130778 (Canadian registry)
- Type: Wooden screw-driven fish tug
- Owner (at time of loss): J.E. Pastorius, Kingsville, Ontario
- Dimensions: 83 ft length × 18 ft beam × 8 ft depth
- Tonnage: 146 tons gross
Final Incident – August 1927
- Date: August 1927
- Location: Docked at Kingsville, Ontario (Lake Erie)
- Incident: Caught fire at dock—smoldered overnight and ultimately burned to total loss
- Casualties: None reported
- Vessel Condition: Hulled out at the dock; remains abandoned thereafter
(greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, lake.cros.net)
Historical & Service Context
- Initially registered as a U.S. vessel under the name C.W. Endress (US#127288)
- In 1913, sold to Canadian ownership and renamed Mack Jean, used in regional commercial fishing operations
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1898, Manitowoc, WI |
| Names | C.W. Endress → Mack Jean (post-1913) |
| Type | Wooden screw fish tug |
| Specs | 83′×18′×8′, 146 GRT |
| Owner | J.E. Pastorius, Kingsville, Ontario |
| Loss | Aug 1927 – burning at Kingsville dock |
| Casualties | None |
| Fate | Total hull loss; abandoned after fire |
Next Research Opportunities
- Local Newspapers (Aug 1927): Kingsville Reporter and Windsor Star for fire accounts, estimated damage, and fire suppression efforts
- Fire & Insurance Records: Claims filed with Kingsville fire department or marine underwriters
- Fisherman’s Logs: Records related to upland modifications or seasonal fishing loss associated with J.E. Pastorius’s fleet