Puckasaw (john Hunsader – Lake Superior Tug Shipwreck (1936)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: John Hunsader (later renamed Puckasaw)
• Type: Steamer (Tugboat)
• Year Built: 1910
• Builder: Thomas N. Smith & Son
• Dimensions: Length 96 ft (29.3 m); Beam 26.58 ft (8.1 m); Depth of hold 12.33 ft (3.8 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 231 tons; Net: 93 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 26 m / 80 ft
• Location: Near B Island, Welcome Islands, Lake Superior
• Original Owners: Thomas N. Smith, Leathem & Smith, Newaygo Timber Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The John Hunsader was a wooden-hulled tugboat (later known as Puckasaw) built in 1910 by Thomas N. Smith & Son in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Powered by a steeple compound engine with two cylinders, the vessel featured a single propeller and was equipped with a Scotch boiler. The engine, manufactured by Murphy Iron Works in Detroit, Michigan, had dimensions of 22 + 40 x 30 inches. The tugboat’s original dimensions were 97.58 feet (29.7 meters) in length, with a beam of 26.58 feet (8.1 meters) and a depth of 12.42 feet (3.8 meters), and a gross tonnage of 210 tons.

The vessel served primarily in the towing and transportation industry on the Great Lakes, performing a variety of tasks for different owners over its operational life.

Description

The John Hunsader was launched in 1910 and initially owned by Thomas N. Smith of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The vessel was actively involved in towing and transportation tasks and played a crucial role in supporting the maritime industry in the Great Lakes region. Ownership transferred to Leathem & Smith in 1915, and by 1919, the tugboat underwent some modifications that resulted in a slight adjustment of its dimensions and tonnage.

In 1921, the vessel was renamed Puckasaw, continuing its service under this new name. In 1933, the Puckasaw was sold to the Newaygo Timber Company, based in Port Arthur, Ontario, where it continued its operations for a few more years.

However, by 1936, the vessel’s operational life came to an end when it was intentionally scuttled near B Island in the Welcome Islands of Lake Superior. The reasons behind the scuttling may have included the vessel’s age, condition, or the economic decisions made by its owners at the time.

History

The Puckasaw (formerly John Hunsader) was intentionally scuttled in 1936 near B Island in the Welcome Islands, Lake Superior. The vessel now rests at a depth of approximately 80 feet (26 meters), marking the end of its service life. The scuttling was a common practice for older vessels that were no longer deemed economical or safe to operate, effectively providing the ship with a final resting place beneath the waters of Lake Superior.

Significant Incidents

• 1910: Launched and initially owned by Thomas N. Smith.
• 1915: Ownership transferred to Leathem & Smith.
• 1919: Underwent modifications affecting dimensions and tonnage.
• 1921: Renamed Puckasaw.
• 1933: Sold to Newaygo Timber Company.
• 1936: Intentionally scuttled near B Island.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Puckasaw lies at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), making it accessible to divers with appropriate training and equipment. The condition of the wreck is not detailed, but as it was scuttled intentionally, the structure may be relatively intact or partially collapsed depending on environmental conditions and the passage of time. The wreck site offers an opportunity for exploration and provides insights into the construction and operation of early 20th-century tugboats.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Puckasaw lies at a depth of 80 feet (26 meters), making it accessible to divers with appropriate training and equipment. The condition of the wreck is not detailed, but as it was scuttled intentionally, the structure may be relatively intact or partially collapsed depending on environmental conditions and the passage of time. The wreck site offers an opportunity for exploration and provides insights into the construction and operation of early 20th-century tugboats.

Resources & Links

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The tugboat John Hunsader, later renamed Puckasaw, serves as an important part of Great Lakes maritime history. Its service in towing and transportation, along with its eventual scuttling near B Island, reflects the typical life cycle of working vessels in the region. The wreck, now lying beneath the waters of Lake Superior, continues to offer insights into the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes and provides a valuable site for exploration by divers and historians alike.