Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nellie J.
- Type: Log-tug (wood screw)
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Fall Lake, Ely, Minnesota
- Original Owners: Horn & Jeffery Tug Service
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Log-tug designed for robust and maneuverable operations in remote waters, primarily used for towing log rafts.
Description
The Nellie J. was one of two small wooden screw tugs operated by the Horn & Jeffery tug service. It was primarily involved in log-rafting operations for the Swallow-Hopkins Lumber Company on Fall Lake and surrounding waters in the early 20th century.
History
Both the Nellie J. and its sister tug, Mertie J., were integral to the logging operations in the Ely region, towing log rafts and supporting the hardwood operations of Swallow-Hopkins Lumber. They exemplified the typical design of lake logging support craft.
Significant Incidents
- Mertie J.: Removed from shore, dragged into deeper water, and intentionally allowed to sink in Fall Lake.
- Nellie J.: Dismantled and dispersed onshore.
Final Disposition
The Nellie J. was cannibalized and hulled out onshore, while the Mertie J. remains submerged in Fall Lake, according to local historical accounts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of the last reports, the Mertie J. is submerged in deeper waters of Fall Lake, while the Nellie J. has been dismantled.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nellie-j-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The history of the Nellie J. and Mertie J. reflects informal retirement practices for small vessels in logging operations, highlighting the lifecycle of local craft and the potential for underwater archaeological surveying.
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.
Log‑Tug Derelicts, Fall Lake (Ely, MN)
Identification & Background
Two small wooden screw tugs, Nellie J. and Mertie J., were operated by the Horn & Jeffery tug service of Ely, Minnesota. They served primarily in log‑rafting operations for the Swallow‑Hopkins Lumber Company on Fall Lake and linked waters in the early 20th century.
Operational History
- Both tugs towed log rafts and supported logging operations around Fall Lake, adjacent to Basswood Lake, serving the hardwood operations of Swallow‑Hopkins Lumber in the Ely region.
- They were typical of lake logging support craft—designed to be robust, maneuverable, and deployable in remote waters.
Final Disposition
Mertie J.:
- Removed from shore and dragged into deeper water of Fall Lake.
- Intentionally allowed to sink and remain underwater in deeper basin zones.
- According to Mr. Lee Brownell (longtime Ely resident & historical researcher), Mertie J. remains submerged in Fall Lake while Nellie J. was dismantled and dispersed.
Credibility & Source
- Oral testimony from Lee Brownell, of the Ely‑Winton Historical Society, reports first-hand familial recollections—his father served as U.S. Forest Service Supervisor, Superior National Forest, during World War I.
- No registry data or official logs exist documenting disposal; instead, these are placed within local logging history and informal vessel retirement practices.
Summary Table
| Vessel | Type | Fate on Fall Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Nellie J. | Log‑tug (wood screw) | Cannibalized; hulled out onshore |
| Mertie J. | Log‑tug | Dragged to deep water and sunk |
Significance & Context
- Reflects informal retirement practices for small and expendable support vessels used in the remote resource-extraction zones.
- Illustrates local craft lifecycles: equipment reuse, deliberate sinking, and the fading of small working boats without official marine documentation.
- Offers potential targets for underwater archaeological surveying, especially of Mertie J.—if sonar or diver records are taken.
Recommendations for Further Investigation
- Interview with Lee Brownell or Ely‑Winton Historical Society
- To gather additional details: approximate locations, images, or exact coordinates.
- Local newspaper searches (1900–1930) for logging or lake clearance reports.
- DNR or Minnesota Heritage Center archives for forestry and logging vessel records.
- Underwater reconnaissance in Fall Lake to identify any artifacts or timber remains associated with Mertie J..
- Comparative research on Horn & Jeffery tug fleet in lumber archives or Port Arthur / Ely location histories.