Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Jane C. Woodruff
  • Former Names: None documented
  • •Official Number: 88635
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Louis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
  • Vessel Type: Schooner (also noted as a barkentine in some sources)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 1
  • Specifications: Length: 139 ft (42.37 m) Beam (Width): 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth of Hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
  • Tonnage: 350 tonnage (Old Style)
  • Cargo Capacity: 18,000 bushels

Vessel Type

The Jane C. Woodruff was a three-masted Schooner, with some sources referring to her as a Barkentine due to her rigging style. Barkentines typically have square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the remaining masts, combining the cargo capacity of a square-rigged ship with the maneuverability of a Schooner. This versatile rig made her suitable for Great Lakes commerce, particularly in handling bulk cargo like lumber and grain.

Description

Built by the renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna at his shipyard in St. Catharines, Ontario, the Jane C. Woodruff was constructed during a peak period of Great Lakes maritime activity. Shickluna’s shipyard was a key facility along the Welland Canal, known for producing sturdy vessels optimized for both lake and canal navigation.

With dimensions of 139 feet in length, a 26-foot beam, and an 11-foot depth, she was a sizable Schooner for her time, capable of carrying up to 18,000 bushels of cargo—primarily lumber, grain, and other bulk commodities essential to the rapidly industrializing regions around the Great Lakes.

Operational History

The Jane C. Woodruff had an eventful career marked by multiple incidents, ownership changes, and repairs—a testament to both her durability and the challenging conditions of Great Lakes shipping.

Chronology of Notable Events:

  • 1869 (October 9): Damaged in a collision at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • 1871: Owned in St. Catharines, Ontario, reflecting her connection to the Welland Canal shipping routes.
  • 1872: Sank at Queen’s Wharf, Toronto, Ontario, but was raised and returned to service.
  • 1873: Underwent repairs, including the installation of a new Deck.
  • 1876: Registered at 338 gross tons under the ownership of J. Battle of St. Catharines.
  • 1877 (November 3): Ashore at Kingston, Ontario, during a storm; successfully refloated.
  • 1878: Owned by John Battle of Thorold, Ontario, continuing operations in the lumber trade.
  • 1884: Ownership transferred to Peter Stover and associates in Sombra, Ontario, reflecting a shift toward Lake Huron operations.
  • 1886: Owned by Rough of St. Catharines, Ontario.

Collision with William Wellhouse

On October 15, 1880, the Jane C. Woodruff was involved in a fatal collision with the scow-Schooner William Wellhouse near Manhattan Mills, close to Toledo, Ohio, on Lake Erie.  The impact caused the William Wellhouse to sink rapidly, resulting in one fatality. The Jane C. Woodruff survived the incident and continued in service, highlighting her structural resilience despite sustaining damage in multiple accidents throughout her career.

Final Voyage and Loss

On November 21, 1886, the Jane C. Woodruff encountered a severe storm on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and went ashore at Indian Shoals, near Giant’s Island. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel, she suffered extensive damage from both the storm and the rocky shoals.

Unable to be refloated, the Schooner was left stranded, and during the harsh winter of 1886–1887, she was battered by ice and storms, eventually breaking apart (“went to pieces”) and becoming a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The remains of the Jane C. Woodruff likely still lie near Indian Shoals, Georgian Bay. The site may contain scattered timbers, iron fittings, and other remnants typical of 19th-century wooden schooners lost to the elements.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed records of the wreck being formally documented or surveyed, though the area around Indian Shoals is known for multiple shipwrecks, and remnants may exist underwater.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The waters near Indian Shoals are known hazards in Georgian Bay, with shallow areas and submerged rocks posing navigational risks. Mariners are advised to consult updated nautical charts and exercise caution in the vicinity.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Jane C. Woodruff, Schooner, Barkentine, Georgian Bay shipwreck, Indian Shoals, Lake Huron wreck, Great Lakes collisions, William Wellhouse

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Collisions and Groundings

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Barkentine: A sailing vessel with three or more masts, square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged on the remaining masts.
  • Ashore: A term used when a vessel runs aground on a shoreline or reef, often leading to structural damage or Total Loss.
  • Went to Pieces: A maritime term describing a vessel that has broken apart due to environmental conditions like ice, storms, or prolonged exposure.

Conclusion

The Jane C. Woodruff’s long and eventful career illustrates the rigors of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century. Despite surviving multiple groundings, collisions, and even sinking, she remained in active service for nearly 20 years. Her final loss on Georgian Bay in 1886 marked the end of a vessel that had navigated some of the most challenging conditions on the Great Lakes. Today, she is remembered as part of the rich maritime history of the region, a testament to both the resilience and vulnerability of wooden sailing ships.