Identification & Site Information

  • Name: John Wesley
  • Former Names: None documented
  • Official Number: 75491
  • Date Built and Launched: 1872
  • Builder: Bailey Bros, Toledo, Ohio
  • Specifications Length: 135 ft (41.15 m) Beam (Width): 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth of Hold: 12 ft (3.66 m)
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-masted
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Gross Tonnage: 302 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 287 tons
  • Date Lost: September 7, 1901
  • Place of Loss: Near Harbour Beach, Michigan, Lake Huron
  • Type of Loss: Storm, driven ashore due to poor Visibility from Forest Fire Smoke
  • Loss of Life: None
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber

Vessel Type

The John Wesley was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were the workhorses of the lakes, designed to transport bulk cargo such as lumber, grain, coal, and iron ore. Their fore-and-aft rigging allowed for better maneuverability, especially in the variable wind conditions of the Great Lakes, and made them economical to operate with smaller crews.

Description

Built in 1872 by Bailey Bros of Toledo, Ohio, the John Wesley measured 135 feet in length, with a 26-foot beam and a 12-foot depth of hold. Her Gross Tonnage of 302 tons indicates a vessel capable of carrying significant cargo loads, particularly lumber, which was a primary commodity in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

The Schooner was constructed during a period of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the Midwest, when vessels like the John Wesley played a crucial role in supplying building materials to growing urban centers. Her wooden Hull, while durable for its time, made her vulnerable to the severe storms and rough waters that frequently plagued the Great Lakes.

Operational History

Throughout her nearly 30-year career, the John Wesley experienced multiple groundings, wrecks, and repairs, reflecting both the dangers of Great Lakes navigation and the durability of wooden schooners.

Notable Incidents:

  1. 1882 – Major Repair: The vessel underwent significant repairs in 1882, likely to address structural wear, enhance her cargo capacity, or improve her seaworthiness after early years of service.
  2. 1883 – Wrecked Near Buffalo: On September 25, 1883, the John Wesley was driven ashore and wrecked near Windmill Point, close to Buffalo, New York. She was declared a Total Loss, but was later salvaged and returned to service, demonstrating the economic value of recovering such vessels.
  3. 1892 – Ashore Near Marquette: During the Great Storm of October 28, 1892, she was driven ashore and Abandoned near Marquette, Michigan. Despite being Abandoned, she was later recovered, repaired, and placed back into service.
  4. 1894 – Capsized Off Pointe Aux Barques: In 1894, she capsized off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron, sustaining $5,000 in damages—a substantial amount at the time.  Following this incident, she underwent additional repairs to restore her to working condition.

Final Voyage and Loss

The John Wesley’s final voyage occurred on September 7, 1901, while carrying a cargo of lumber from Cheboygan, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York. During the voyage, she encountered a severe gale on Lake Huron near Harbour Beach, Michigan. Complicating the situation, dense smoke from forest fires along the Michigan shoreline blinded the crew, reducing Visibility to near zero.

Unable to navigate safely, the Schooner was driven ashore by the storm. Although the vessel remained intact, she was declared a constructive Total Loss, meaning the cost of repairs would have exceeded her value. The crew successfully Abandoned ship and were rescued without any loss of life. After the incident, the John Wesley was Abandoned, marking the end of her long and tumultuous career on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

Declared a constructive Total Loss, the John Wesley was left Abandoned near Harbour Beach, Michigan. Over time, her wooden Hull likely deteriorated due to exposure to the elements, and any salvageable materials would have been stripped by local salvagers or scavengers.

Given the frequency with which vessels in this era were recovered after wrecks, it is notable that the John Wesley was not repaired following her final stranding, likely due to the accumulation of prior damages and the declining economic viability of maintaining older schooners in the age of steel-hulled freighters.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, given her final resting place near Harbor Beach, it’s possible that remnants of the vessel may still exist buried under sand or submerged in shallow waters along the Lake Huron shoreline.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Harbor Beach, Michigan, is known for its dangerous shoals and sudden storms, which have led to numerous shipwrecks in the area.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating near Harbour Beach and to be aware of potential submerged wreckage in shallow waters.

Historical Significance

The John Wesley’s career reflects both the importance of schooners in the Great Lakes’ lumber trade and the dangers faced by mariners navigating these often treacherous waters. Her repeated groundings, wrecks, and salvage effortsillustrate the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and the economic pressures to keep ships in service despite significant damage.

Her final loss in 1901, caused by the combination of natural disaster (forest fires) and severe weather, highlights the unpredictable and interconnected environmental challenges that sailors faced on the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: John Wesley, schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, Harbour Beach maritime history, Great Lakes lumber trade, Bailey Bros Toledo

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Storm-related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Constructive Total Loss: A situation where the cost of repairing a damaged vessel exceeds its value, leading to its abandonment.
  • Forest Fire Smoke: A rare but significant navigational hazard on the Great Lakes, particularly during dry seasons when large fires near the shoreline reduced Visibility.
  • Harbour Beach, Michigan: A key port on Lake Huron known for its large Breakwater and maritime history, but also notorious for shipwrecks due to sudden storms and hazardous shoals.

Conclusion

The John Wesley exemplifies the hardiness and vulnerability of Great Lakes schooners during the late 19th century. Over the course of nearly 30 years, she faced multiple wrecks, repairs, and challenges, serving the lumber trade that fueled the economic growth of the Midwest. Her final loss near Harbour Beach, Michigan, in 1901 underscores the unpredictable dangers of Great Lakes navigation, where natural disasters like forest fires and sudden gales could conspire to bring even the most seasoned vessels to their end. Though now lost to history, the John Wesley’s story remains a testament to the enduring legacy of the schooners that once dominated the Great Lakes.