Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SUSIE Q
- Type: Fishing Tug
- Year Built: 1947
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approx. 40–50 ft (12.2–15.2 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Superior, off the south shore
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Commercial fishing operator (name not documented)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SUSIE Q was a wooden fish tug, purpose-built to serve the Lake Superior commercial fishing industry. Fish tugs of this era were heavily constructed for ice-breaking and equipped with enclosed pilothouses to protect crews in harsh winter conditions.
Description
Launched in 1947, the SUSIE Q worked for nearly four decades in the Lake Superior fishery, likely out of a port such as Marquette, Whitefish Point, or Duluth. These vessels commonly hauled gillnets and trawls while enduring rough weather on the lake.
History
On December 30, 1985, the SUSIE Q was caught in a severe winter storm. After she lost power, a distress call was sent out, prompting a rescue response. The U.S. Coast Guard successfully removed the three crew members before the tug foundered and sank, taking its fishing gear with it. No lives were lost.
Significant Incidents
- December 30, 1985: Caught in a severe winter storm, lost power, and sank in Lake Superior.
Final Disposition
Foundered and lost on December 30, 1985, in Lake Superior. No salvage is documented, and her final resting depth is unconfirmed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Unknown; presumed to rest in deep water off the south shore of Lake Superior, beyond the reach of recreational divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”susie-q-1947-fishing-tug” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the SUSIE Q highlights the ongoing dangers faced by commercial fishing crews on Lake Superior, even in modern times. Her sinking serves as a reminder of the harsh and often unforgiving nature of Great Lakes maritime work.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: SUSIE Q
- Year Built: 1947
- Type: Fishing Tug
- Hull Material: Wood
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Length: Approx. 40–50 feet (typical size for Lake Superior fish tugs of the era)
- Owner at Time of Loss: Commercial fishing operator (name not documented)
- Location of Loss: Lake Superior, off the south shore
- Date Lost: December 30, 1985
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Depth: Unknown
Vessel Type Description
The SUSIE Q was a wooden fish tug, purpose-built to serve the Lake Superior commercial fishing industry. Fish tugs of this era were heavily constructed for ice-breaking and equipped with enclosed pilothouses to protect crews in harsh winter conditions.
History
Launched in 1947, the SUSIE Q worked for nearly four decades in the Lake Superior fishery, likely out of a port such as Marquette, Whitefish Point, or Duluth. These vessels commonly hauled gillnets and trawls while enduring rough weather on the lake.
On December 30, 1985, the SUSIE Q was caught in a severe winter storm. After she lost power, a distress call was sent out, prompting a rescue response. The U.S. Coast Guard successfully removed the three crew members before the tug foundered and sank, taking its fishing gear with it. No lives were lost.
Final Disposition
Foundered and lost on December 30, 1985, in Lake Superior. No salvage is documented, and her final resting depth is unconfirmed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically reference the SUSIE Q wreck, but caution is always advised during fishing or diving activities in Lake Superior’s deep, unpredictable waters.
Located By & Date
The wreck of the SUSIE Q has not been officially located, though its approximate area of loss is known from Coast Guard reports.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Unknown; presumed to rest in deep water off the south shore of Lake Superior, beyond the reach of recreational divers.
Resources & Links
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks
Conclusion
The loss of the SUSIE Q highlights the ongoing dangers faced by commercial fishing crews on Lake Superior, even in modern times. Her sinking serves as a reminder of the harsh and often unforgiving nature of Great Lakes maritime work.
Keywords
SUSIE Q, Fishing Tug, Lake Superior, Winter Storm, 1985 Shipwreck, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Commercial Fishing, Maritime Rescue