Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Pal(1938)

Explore the wreck of the Pal, a wooden fishing tug lost in 1947 due to an explosion and fire while fishing off Pentwater, Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Pal
  • Type: Wooden fishing tug/trawler
  • Year Built: 1938
  • Builder: local Michigan boatyard
  • Dimensions:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: 8 miles offshore from Pentwater, Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Pal was a wooden fishing tug/trawler, primarily used for fishing operations in the Great Lakes.

Description

The wooden fishing tug Pal, built in 1938, was based in Pentwater, Michigan. It was designed for fishing and trawling operations.

History

The Pal was constructed in a local Michigan boatyard and served the fishing community from its home port of Pentwater. It was involved in various fishing activities until its loss in 1947.

Significant Incidents

  • May 2, 1947: The Pal experienced an explosion, likely from fuel or engine backfire, while hauling nets in foggy conditions.
  • Three crew members perished, and no survivors were reported.
  • The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search operation after the vessel failed to return, locating wreckage subsequently.

Final Disposition

The Pal was declared a total constructive loss after being found sunk and destroyed. The incident resulted in the loss of fishing gear and the vessel itself.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it remains a site of interest for divers and historians.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”pal1938″ title=”References & Links”]

The loss of the Pal serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those in the fishing industry, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

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.

(wooden fishing tug, built 1938; lost May 2 1947)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: Pal
  • Built: 1938, local Michigan boatyard
  • Type: Wooden fishing tug/trawler
  • Home Port: Pentwater, Michigan

Final Incident – May 2, 1947

  • Date: May 2, 1947 (foggy conditions)
  • Voyage: Left Pentwater early morning to set/retrieve fishing nets ~8 mi offshore
  • Incident: An explosion—likely from fuel or engine backfire—triggered a fire aboard while hauling nets
  • Responders: U.S. Coast Guard cutters launched search after Pal failed to return, locating wreckage subsequently
  • Casualties: Three crew members perished; no survivors reported
  • Cargo: Fishing gear (nets) lost in the disaster
  • Loss Status: Declared a total constructive loss; vessel found sunk/destroyed

Incident Sequence

  • Pal departed Pentwater in dense fog to begin netting operations.
  • An explosion occurred belowdecks, igniting a fire that quickly consumed the vessel amidload situation.
  • After failing to return, a search operation was initiated by Coast Guard cutters. Wreckage and evidence of fire/explosion were found near net locations.

Rescue & Recovery

  • Life-saving attempts were complicated by fog and intense fire
  • Recovery efforts focused on debris and human remains
  • Officially confirmed: three fatalities, no survivors recovered

Source

  • Local Pentwater historical archive indicates the Pal was lost to a “fire and explosion” while fishing and that Coast Guard cutters carried out a search operation (pentwater.maripo.com)

Archival Gaps & Research Recommendations

  • Construction Records: Vessel registry from 1938—yard details, dimensions, official number
  • Explosion Cause: USCG incident reports or Pentwater harbor logs may shed light on fuel systems or maintenance history
  • Crew Identities: Newspaper obituaries (Pentwater Herald, Muskegon Chronicle) from May 1947 may list crew members and personal details
  • Wreck Location: Exact position offshore not publicly documented; search for USCG cutter logs and drift/debris field mapping

Summary

The wooden fishing tug Pal, built in 1938 and operating out of Pentwater, Michigan, was destroyed by an explosion and fire on May 2, 1947, while hauling nets eight miles offshore in dense fog. The Coast Guard responded, but all three crew members perished. The incident resulted in a total loss of the vessel and fishing gear.

Would you like me to search for crew names in obituaries, request Coast Guard incident logs, or locate newspaper reports for more granular detail?

pal1938 1947-05-02 01:37:00