Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: J. W. Blake (also reported as I. W. Blake)
- Type: Wooden scow-Schooner (unrigged Barge)
- Built: 1853 at Dover, OH
- Dimensions:
- Length: 68 ft
- Beam: 18 ft
- Depth: 3 ft
- Tonnage: Approximately 33 tons (old measure) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo: Lumber at time of final incident
Incident & Loss
- Date: 2 June 1855
- Location: Roughly 4 miles off Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan (Wikipedia, 2manitowoc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Circumstances: Caught unexpectedly in a sudden squall, she capsized swiftly
- Crew: All survived by escaping in the Yawl; however, one crewman—who was asleep below decks—nearly drowned (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Site & Aftermath
- Initial Assessment: The vessel was considered a Total Loss following capsizing (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Post-Incident Status: Conflicting reports indicate she may have been later recovered and Rebuilt; specifics of salvage or Rebuild remain undocumented.
Significance
- Represents early mid-century scow-schooners heavily reliant on small crew and minimal rigging
- Demonstrates the sudden peril presented by white or summer squalls on the Great Lakes
- Crew survival highlights effective use of basic safety craft—a Yawl—for emergency escape
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1853, Dover, OH |
| Type | Wooden scow-Schooner, 68 × 18 × 3 ft, 33 tons |
| Final Voyage | June 2, 1855, off Sturgeon Bay, WI |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Cause of Loss | Capsized in squall |
| Casualties | None; one near-fatality |
| Aftermath | Declared Total Loss; possible Rebuild later |
Source
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: Detailed record for J.W. Blake including build info, dimensions, incident description, location, and crew outcome (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Recommended Next Steps
- Newspaper Archives (June 1855): Publications around Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, and nearby harbors might carry eyewitness accounts or mention salvage operations.
- Vessel Documentation: Checking the 1855 enrollment and post-loss registry may clarify whether the vessel was indeed recovered and Rebuilt.
- Maritime Registries: Later records (~1856–1860) might include a Rebuilt J.W. Blake, confirming salvage action.