(Propeller Tug & Coaster, built 1894; lost October 15, 1909)
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Original Name: Jim Pullar (sometimes misrecorded as Jim Pullard)
- Built: 1894 at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Official Number: 77146 (U.S.), registered later as Canadian registry C126045 post-1909
- Type & Dimensions: Wooden propeller vessel, functioning as a coaster and Tug; approximately 62 × 15 × 8 ft, 53 gross tons, 29 net tons
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Fire Incident (October 15, 1909)
- Location: Near Dog Island, just off Sturgeon Bay, Lake Superior
- Type of Loss: Fire
- Circumstances: Caught fire unexpectedly; the blaze rapidly consumed the vessel. Jim Pullar burned to a Total Loss and sank on site.
- Casualties: None reported—no crew fatalities recorded at the time of loss
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name & Type | Jim Pullar — wooden coaster/Tug |
| Built & Registry | 1894, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; US#77146 |
| Loss Date & Location | October 15, 1909 — Dog Island, Lake Superior |
| Cause of Loss | Severe fire onboard |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Final Status | Burned and sank; total Hull loss |
Research Context & Noteworthy Details
- The Jim Pullar’s loss is cataloged in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, indicating significant notability for fire-related wrecks on Lake Superior. The remote location near Sturgeon Bay and Dog Island suggests she may have been partaking in regional towing or harbor assistance when the fire occurred.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - The Conversion of registry to Canadian (C126045) post-fire points to prior transfer in ownership or flag—slightly uncertain but recorded in registry metadata.
Recommended Avenues for Further Research
- Historical Newspaper Coverage
Explore October 1909 editions of regional press such as Sturgeon Bay Journal, Green Bay Press-Gazette, and Duluth News Tribune for fire reports, crew safety accounts, or Tug activity around Dog Island. - Registry & Ownership Records
Examine documentation for ownership changes (US to Canadian), including Canadian shipping registries and port logs for vessel history. - Fire Cause Reports & Marine Safety Logs
Investigate U.S. or Canadian marine incident records (e.g., Steamboat Inspection Service) for causes of fire and any findings. - Maritime Archaeology & Wreck Surveys
Contact NOAA or Wisconsin Sea Grant for potential sonar mapping or dive logs near Dog Island that may document the remains or oil slick evidence.