SHIPWRECK REPORT: H.J. Webb

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: H.J. Webb
• • Other Names: None
• • Vessel Type: Schooner, Wood, 3-Mast
• • Build Information: Built in 1869 in Vermilion, Ohio, by I.W. Nichols
• • Specifications:
• • Length: 167 feet (50.9 meters)
• • Beam: 28 feet (8.5 meters)
• • Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 432 tons
• • Net Tonnage: 410 tons
• • Date of Loss: November 10-13, 1901
• • Place of Loss: Darch Island, North Channel, Lake Huron
• • Coordinates: N46° 03.377’, W08° 29.150’
• • Depth: 30 feet of fresh water (9 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The H.J. Webb was a robust wooden Schooner, designed for the transportation of cargo such as grain and lumber across the Great Lakes. With its three masts, the vessel was an impressive workhorse, built to endure the rigorous demands of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping.

HISTORY

The H.J. Webb began service in 1869 under the ownership of P. Minch and partners from Vermilion, Ohio. It played a key role in the Great Lakes trade, transporting grain, coal, and lumber to ports as far as Duluth, Minnesota.

The vessel underwent significant repairs in 1878 and again in 1884, reflecting its heavy use. By the late 1880s, ownership changed hands multiple times, eventually being acquired by Thomas F. Madden in 1888 and John Madden in 1892.

The H.J. Webb experienced a series of mishaps in the 1890s, including becoming waterlogged on September 18, 1893, foreshadowing its eventual demise.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Between November 10-13, 1901, the H.J. Webb met its tragic end. While under tow by the propeller Porter Chamberlain during a severe storm in Lake Huron’s North Channel, the Schooner broke loose and grounded on Darch Island. Both the H.J. Webb and the Porter Chamberlain were consumed by fire, resulting in the Total Loss of the Schooner and its cargo of lumber.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Condition: The wreck lies at a depth of 30 feet (9 meters). Although partially burned and damaged, structural elements such as the Hull and masts remain visible.

• Accessibility: The site is accessible to divers of varying experience levels and offers a fascinating exploration opportunity due to its historical significance.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are specifically related to the wreck of the H.J. Webb. Divers should exercise caution due to potential hazards associated with submerged wreckage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Explore Details

• Bowling Green State University: Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: H.J. Webb Details

• Great Lakes Ships: View Records

KEYWORDS

H.J. Webb, Schooner, North Channel, Lake Huron, Shipwreck, Great Lakes, Maritime History, Darch Island

CONCLUSION

The H.J. Webb stands as a symbol of the resilience and determination of 19th-century Great Lakes mariners. Though its story ended in tragedy, the wreck continues to inspire divers and historians, offering a window into the life of a Schooner that once sailed the vast waters of the Great Lakes.