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 log rafting.
Description
The Nellie J was one of two small wooden screw tugs operated by the Horn & Jeffery tug service, primarily serving the Swallow-Hopkins Lumber Company in the early 20th century. It was involved in towing log rafts and supporting logging operations around Fall Lake and adjacent waters.
History
Both tugs, Nellie J and Mertie J, were integral to the logging industry in the Ely region, designed to be robust and capable of operating in remote areas. They were typical of the support craft used in lake logging operations.
Significant Incidents
- Nellie J: Cannibalized between the South and southeastern ends of Fall Lake, reportedly stripped of machinery and fittings.
- Left onshore or submerged in very shallow water where the hull decayed naturally.
Final Disposition
The Nellie J was ultimately left onshore or submerged in shallow water, leading to its natural decay. Its fate reflects informal retirement practices for small support vessels used in logging operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Nellie J is uncertain, as it has reportedly decayed naturally and may be partially submerged or left onshore.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nellie-j” title=”References & Links”]
The Nellie J serves as a historical reminder of the logging industry’s reliance on small, expendable vessels and the informal practices surrounding their retirement.
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 Dispositions
Nellie J.:
- Cannibalized between the South and southeastern ends of Fall Lake, reportedly stripped of machinery and fittings.
- Left onshore or submerged in very shallow water where the hull decayed naturally.
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.