Identification & Site Information

Vessel Specifications

  • Dimensions: Approximately 55′ long × 11′ beam × 5′ depth
  • Tonnage: 10 gross / 7 net tons (small utility Tug)
  • Propulsion: Single screw, steam-powered Tug

Chronology & Operational History

  • 1905: Launched from Sault Ste. Marie shipyard, entering service likely in Marquette’s towing and harbor operations.
  • May 10, 1914: Began taking on water near the mouth of Sturgeon River. Bowed to foundering; sank in relatively shallow riverine waters. Despite the mishap, the entire crew survived, and there was no reported cargo—suggesting she may have been on a positioning or maintenance mission. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Wreck Site & Current Status

  • Location: Within the lower Sturgeon River estuary, near L’Anse, MI
  • Depth & Condition: Likely shallow water with potential sediment coverage; no modern survey has confirmed the wreck or its existence.
  • Navigational Status: Not marked as a hazard; no active notices noted.

Sources & Citations

Conclusion

The George N was a small wooden propeller Tug employed on Lake Superior routes out of Marquette. She met her end when taking on water and foundering near L’Anse’s Sturgeon River on May 10, 1914. No casualties occurred, and the vessel was lost in a modest river channel rather than open lake depths. The specifics of the leak remain unreported, and the Tug never appeared in subsequent listings.

Keywords & Categories

  • Region: Lake Superior, Sturgeon River (L’Anse), MI
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Tugboat
  • Cause of Loss: Foundering (flooding)
  • Loss Year: 1914
  • Casualties: None
  • Dive Status: Not surveyed; potential shallow water wreck in river setting