N. Ellen M – Lake Huron Tug Shipwreck (1949)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: N. Ellen M (formerly Molly S)
• Type: Wooden-hulled steam tug (propeller-driven)
• Year Built: 1901
• Builder: Simms, Manitowaning, Ontario
• Dimensions: 68 × 12 × 5 ft; 25 GRT / 15 NRT
• Registered Tonnage: 25 GRT / 15 NRT
• Location: 5 miles east of Cabot Head, Georgian Bay
• Official Number: C111851

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden-hulled steam tug, propeller-driven, designed for towing operations.

Description

The N. Ellen M, originally named Molly S, was constructed in 1901 and served in various towing capacities. It was renamed in 1935 and operated alongside other vessels and dredging equipment.

History

Constructed in Manitowaning, Ontario, the N. Ellen M was built for regional towing operations. It changed ownership multiple times and was involved in local maritime activities until its loss in 1949.

Significant Incidents

• The vessel caught fire and burned to a total loss while anchored at Grassy Point.
• The blaze occurred amid the devastating Cloquet Forest Fire, which also affected nearby facilities and vessels.
• No casualties were reported aboard the N. Ellen M, likely due to it being uncrewed at the time.

Final Disposition

The N. Ellen M was completely destroyed by fire, leaving only remnants of the dock and debris at the anchorage site. Its loss is considered part of a larger ecological disaster rather than a typical wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The site of the N. Ellen M is not recognized as a marine archaeological site but rather as a historical casualty of the Cloquet Forest Fire, with no significant remains to explore.

Resources & Links

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The N. Ellen M’s loss highlights the impact of terrestrial wildfires on maritime infrastructure, serving as a reminder of the interconnectedness of land and water environments.