Identification & Site Information

• Name: COMSTOCK, J.B.
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 76941
• Type at Loss: Schooner-barge, wood-hulled, 2-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1891
• Builder: Abram Smith & Sons, Algonac, Michigan
• Original Owner: Smith & A.W. Comstock, Alpena, Michigan
• Measurements: 139.4 ft (42.5 m) length, 30.1 ft (9.2 m) beam, 10.9 ft (3.3 m) depth; 325 gross tons, 307 net tons
• Date Lost: October 8, 1906
• Place of Loss: Duck Islands, south side, Lake Huron

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner-Barge

Description

The J.B. COMSTOCK was a two-masted wooden schooner-barge constructed in 1891 by Abram Smith & Sons in Algonac, Michigan. Schooner-barges like the COMSTOCK were hybrid vessels, designed to be towed by steamers while still retaining sails for auxiliary power. These vessels were essential to the bulk freight industry on the Great Lakes, transporting heavy loads of materials such as lumber, coal, and iron ore between ports.

With dimensions of 139.4 feet in length and a beam of 30.1 feet, the COMSTOCK was a substantial vessel, capable of carrying significant cargo loads. Over her 15-year career, the vessel changed hands multiple times, reflecting the dynamic and competitive nature of the Great Lakes shipping industry at the turn of the 20th century.

History

The J.B. COMSTOCK had a relatively active career in the Great Lakes freight trade, with multiple ownership changes over the years:

• 1898: Owned by A.W. Comstock, Alpena, Michigan
• 1900: Sold to Eddy Brothers & Co., Bay City, Michigan
• 1902: Owned by J.W. Richie, Bay City, Michigan
• 1904: Owned by Charles A. Eddy, Bay City, Michigan

On October 8, 1906, while transporting a load of lumber, the COMSTOCK went ashore on the south side of Duck Island in Lake Huron. The vessel likely encountered rough weather or navigational difficulties, common hazards on the Great Lakes, which contributed to the grounding. Once aground, the schooner-barge broke up, becoming a Total Loss. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

The vessel’s documents were officially surrendered at Port Huron on October 23, 1906, marking the end of her service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

Went ashore and broke up on October 8, 1906, on the south side of Duck Island, Lake Huron, while carrying lumber. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and her documents were surrendered on October 23, 1906 at Port Huron.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the J.B. COMSTOCK wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the J.B. COMSTOCK wreck site near Duck Island, Lake Huron.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection – University of Detroit Mercy
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum – William MacDonald Collection
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The J.B. COMSTOCK represents a typical example of the schooner-barges that were crucial to the Great Lakes shipping industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Constructed in 1891 and used primarily for transporting lumber, the vessel served multiple owners and operated along busy shipping routes. Her final voyage in 1906, ending with her Duck Island, Lake Huron, underscores the dangers faced by even the most experienced mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron. Though the vessel is now lost to history, her story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: J.B. COMSTOCK schooner-barge shipwreck, Duck Island shipwreck, Lake Huron Barge loss, Abram Smith & Sons shipbuilders Algonac, Eddy Brothers Bay City, lumber freighter shipwreck
• Categories: Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooner-Barges, Lumber Freighter Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Tow Incidents
• Glossary Terms:
  • Schooner-Barge: A hybrid vessel designed to be towed but equipped with sails for auxiliary power, commonly used on the Great Lakes for bulk freight transport.
  • Went Ashore: A maritime term indicating that a vessel ran aground, often due to navigational errors, weather conditions, or mechanical failure.
  • Duck Island: A small island in Lake Huron, known for being a hazardous area for navigation, contributing to multiple shipwrecks over the years.