Vessel
- Eras
- Modern era
- Concepts
- maritimefishingheritage
- Within
- Beaver Island archipelago
Summary
The Estonia was Big Art Larsen’s diesel-powered fishing tug. Local Beaver Beacon retrospectives identify it as the vessel that lifted nets near Gull Island during the November 11, 1940 storm, returned toward Saint James Harbor, broke its moorings as the water rose, and ultimately beached safely at the northeastern end of the harbor.
Evidence and limits
The sources establish the name, Larsen connection, diesel description, fishing role, and 1940 storm episode. They do not establish a registry, dimensions, builder, ownership chain beyond the local retrospective, or later disposition.
Open questions
- Which registry or shipyard records identify the Estonia?
- When was it built, and what happened to it after the storm and Larsen’s death?
See also
- Armistice Day storm at Beaver Island (1940)
- Martin Arthur “Big Art” Larsen (1898–1964)
- Commercial fishing
Sources
- Beaver Beacon, June 1964, “Big Art.”Identifies Big Art Larsen’s big diesel tug as the Estonia and reports that it broke its moorings and went high and dry during the 1940 Armistice Day storm.
- Beaver Beacon, November 1968, “Beaver Tales.”Recounts the Estonia lifting nets near Gull Island, returning to St. James, breaking its lines as the harbor rose, and beaching at the northeastern end of the harbor.
- Beaver Beacon, September 1964, “Beaver Island Memories.”Calls the Estonia the first diesel-powered outfit on the Island in Helen Hoffman Collar’s retrospective harbor account.
- Beaver Beacon, February 1965, “Beaver Tales” (Gallagher Dock retrospective).Lists Estonia among the fishing tugs associated with the former Gallagher Dock, without supplying registry or technical details.