Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: JACK THOMPSON
• Former Name: TELEGRAPH (renamed in 1883)
• Official Number: 24220
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood, 2-mast
• Builder: Lent, Conneaut, Ohio
• Year Built: 1847 Rebuilds: Rebuilt in 1865
• Original Owner: Likely associated with Great Lakes bulk freight operators
• Specifications:  Length: 120 ft (36.58 m)  Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m)  Depth: 10 ft (3.05 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 210 tons
• Net Tonnage: 199 tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Masts: 2
• Date Lost: May 18, 1894
• Cause of Loss: Storm
• Place of Loss: Waterfront at Chicago, Lake Michigan
• Waterbody: Lake Michigan
• Cargo at Loss: Lumber
• Loss of Life: 1 fatality

Vessel Type

The JACK THOMPSON was a wooden two-masted Schooner originally built as TELEGRAPH in 1847. She was part of the Great Lakes Schooner fleet that dominated regional cargo transport during the mid-19th century, particularly suited for carrying bulk goods like lumber. The vessel underwent a major Rebuild in 1865, which likely updated her structural integrity and possibly modified her cargo-handling capabilities to meet growing commercial demands.

In 1883, after nearly 40 years of service, she was renamed JACK THOMPSON, reflecting either a change in ownership or an effort to modernize her image in the competitive freight market.

Description

Measuring 120 feet in length, with a beam of 26 feet and a Draft of 10 feet, the JACK THOMPSON was a robust vessel designed for the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Constructed with a wooden Hull, she featured two masts and was optimized for hauling lumber, a staple cargo of the era, especially for routes between Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Chicago—a key hub in the lumber industry.

Her long career, marked by resilience and adaptability, reflects the durability of mid-19th-century Schooner design, even as steam power began to dominate the region’s maritime landscape.

History

The vessel had an extensive and eventful career spanning nearly 50 years:

• 1847: Launched as TELEGRAPH from Conneaut, Ohio, likely serving in the bulk freight trade across Lake Erie and the upper lakes.
• 1865: Underwent a major Rebuild, possibly due to structural wear or damage, which extended her service life significantly.
• 1883: Renamed JACK THOMPSON, marking a new chapter in her operations—possibly coinciding with new ownership or major repairs.
• Throughout the 1880s: Operated primarily in the lumber trade, a booming industry supplying Chicago and other rapidly growing cities along the lakeshore.

Her final years saw her hauling lumber from Garden, Michigan, to Chicago, capitalizing on the strong demand for building materials in the Midwest.

Final Voyage & Loss

On May 18, 1894, JACK THOMPSON was nearing the end of her journey from Garden, Michigan, to Chicago, heavily laden with lumber. As she approached the Chicago waterfront, she encountered a terrific gale—a common but deadly hazard on Lake Michigan, especially near the shoreline where wave action can be intensified.

Caught in the storm, the vessel went out of control, her sails and rigging unable to withstand the force of the wind. She rammed the Schooner RAINBOW in the congested harbour area, sustaining severe damage. The collision, combined with the relentless pounding of the waves, caused her to sink near the shore.

Despite the chaotic conditions, local police, firemen, and bystanders quickly organized a rescue effort. They managed to get a line aboard the stricken vessel, which allowed them to save most of her crew. Sadly, one crew member perished in the incident—either during the collision, the sinking, or the subsequent rescue attempt.

The Schooner was registered out of Chicago, under the command of Captain Thomas Williams at the time of her loss.

Final Disposition

• Declared a Total Loss: 1894
• Cause of Loss: Sank following a collision during a storm
• Location: Chicago waterfront, Lake Michigan
• Current Status: Wrecked near shore; possibly salvaged or broken up over time

Located By & Date Found

• Status: No modern documented discovery of the wreck
• Approximate Location: Chicago waterfront, near the site of the RAINBOW collision
• Coordinates: Unknown

Given the urban development along Chicago’s waterfront, any remaining wreckage was likely removed or buried during harbor expansion and dredging operations in the early 20th century.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: None currently reported in the area
• Advisories: None listed related to this wreck

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze’s Shipwreck File
• NOAA Shipwreck Database
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD)

Conclusion

The JACK THOMPSON embodies the long lifespan and versatility of Great Lakes schooners in the 19th century. From her origins as TELEGRAPH in 1847, through a major Rebuild in 1865, to her renaming and final loss in 1894, she served faithfully in the ever-changing maritime economy of the Great Lakes.

Her tragic end in a violent gale near Chicago’s bustling waterfront—amidst dramatic rescue efforts—reflects both the dangers of lake navigation and the resilience of maritime communities in the face of disaster. Though her wreck may no longer be visible, the story of JACK THOMPSON remains a compelling chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping.