Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mentor
- Type: Wooden tug
- Year Built: circa 1880s
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Grassy Point, Duluth, Minnesota
- Official Number: 145xxx
- Original Owners: Northern Dock & Dredge Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden tug operated by Northern Dock & Dredge Company, primarily engaged in dock and dredge operations on Lake Superior.
Description
The Mentor was a wooden tug that played a crucial role in the maritime operations of Duluth–Superior. It was tied up at Grassy Point when it was destroyed.
History
Built in the 1880s, the Mentor served the Northern Dock & Dredge Company, contributing to the dock and dredge operations in the region until its destruction in 1918.
Significant Incidents
- On 12 October 1918, the Cloquet–Duluth Forest Fire swept into Lake Superior’s shores, with winds reaching 65–76 mph, burning over 250,000 acres.
- The Mentor was tied up at Grassy Point when the fire engulfed the docks, leading to its complete destruction.
- No casualties were reported among crew or harbor personnel during the incident.
Final Disposition
The Mentor was declared a total loss after being burned to the waterline during the Cloquet–Duluth Forest Fire, marking a significant event in maritime history.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Mentor is not accessible for diving due to its destruction by fire and the nature of the incident.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mentor-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Mentor during the Cloquet–Duluth Forest Fire underscores the vulnerability of wooden vessels and dockside infrastructure in the face of natural disasters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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