IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Vessel Name: JAMES C. KING
  • Vessel Type: Schooner Barge
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Official Number: Not available
  • Construction: Originally built as a Bark, later rerigged as a Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 175.3 ft
    • Beam: 33.0 ft
    • Depth: 12.9 ft
  • Tonnage: 512.20 Gross Tons, 486.59 Net Tons
  • Location: Russel Island, near Tobermory, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Coordinates: N45° 16.069′ W081° 42.543′
  • Depth: 22 – 93 feet (7 – 28 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

 

The JAMES C. KING was originally built as a Bark in 1867 by Tripp & Kirby in East Saginaw, Michigan. It was later rerigged as a Schooner by 1884, reflecting the evolving needs of its owners and the shipping industry at the time. With a robust wooden Hull, the vessel was designed to transport heavy cargoes, particularly lumber, across the Great Lakes. Measuring over 175 feet in length and boasting a Gross Tonnage of over 500 tons, the JAMES C. KING was a significant vessel in the lumber trade during its operational years.

 

HISTORY

 

The JAMES C. KING had a storied career spanning several decades and ownership changes. Initially owned by James C. King and others in Chicago, Illinois, the vessel eventually passed into the hands of various other owners, including James Davidson from Buffalo, New York, and Benjamin Boutell from Bay City, Michigan. The vessel was primarily engaged in the lumber trade, a key industry on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

Over the years, the JAMES C. KING served faithfully under challenging conditions, navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. The vessel was registered out of several ports, reflecting its wide range of operations across the region. Despite its robust construction and the skills of its crews, the JAMES C. KING eventually met its end in a fierce storm in 1901.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On November 29, 1901, the JAMES C. KING was driven ashore near Rabbit Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, during a severe storm. The vessel was carrying a cargo of lumber at the time and was destroyed in the wreck. Miraculously, all 27 crew members survived the harrowing ordeal, enduring a freezing night on the wreck until they were rescued by the fish Tug GLUCUS. The wreck of the JAMES C. KING, along with the steam Barge W.L. WETMORE and the Barge BRUNETTE, remains in the waters near Rabbit Island, serving as a testament to the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the JAMES C. KING is located near Rabbit Island, within the boundaries of Ontario’s Fathom Five Provincial Park. It is a popular site for divers who visit the area to explore the remnants of the vessel and the other wrecks in the vicinity.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

The site is marked as a shipwreck and is considered dangerous to surface navigation. Mariners and divers should exercise caution when navigating or exploring the area to avoid potential hazards.

RESOURCES & LINKS

3D Model – James C. King

James C King by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

CONCLUSION

The wreck of the JAMES C. KING serves as a poignant reminder of the perilous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite its robust construction and the skill of its crew, the vessel was no match for the fierce storm that led to its demise. Today, the remains of the JAMES C. KING rest in the waters of Lake Huron, attracting divers and historians alike who seek to connect with the rich maritime history of the region.

KEYWORDS

JAMES C. KING, Schooner Barge, Lake Huron, Shipwreck, Great Lakes History, Georgian Bay, Fathom Five Provincial Park, Lumber Trade, Maritime Archaeology