Identification & Site Information

• Name: JAMES HUGHES
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: None assigned
• Date Built and Launched: 1847
• Builder: Ohio City, Ohio
• Measurements: Length: 100 ft (30.48 m) Beam: 24 ft (7.32 m) Depth: 8 ft (2.44 m)
• Tonnage: 166 tons
• Date Lost: Late November 1855
• Place of Loss: Near Muskegon, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner, a sailing vessel commonly used in the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century for transporting bulk cargoes like lumber, grain, and coal.

Description

The JAMES HUGHES was constructed in 1847 in Ohio City, Ohio, a prominent shipbuilding hub on the southern shore of Lake Erie. Measuring 100 feet in length and 166 tons, the Schooner was designed for cargo transport along the Great Lakes, likely focusing on the booming lumber trade and other bulk commodities essential to the development of cities like Chicago and Muskegon.

The vessel was owned by Charles Mears of Chicago, a well-known figure in the Great Lakes lumber industry. Mears played a significant role in developing the lumber trade along the Lake Michigan shoreline, and his ownership of the JAMES HUGHES reflects the vessel’s likely involvement in this industry.

History

The JAMES HUGHES served for eight years on the Great Lakes, navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Michigan and surrounding regions. Schooners like the JAMES HUGHES were integral to the mid-19th century economy, transporting lumber and other goods from the forests of Michigan and Wisconsin to growing urban centers like Chicago.

In the weeks leading up to its final loss, the Schooner experienced significant difficulties. Just a few weeks before its final wreck, the JAMES HUGHES was stranded at Pentwater, a port on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, where it sustained heavy damage. Despite efforts to recover and repair the vessel, it would soon meet its final fate near Muskegon.

Final Disposition

In late November 1855, the JAMES HUGHES encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan near Muskegon. The vessel was driven ashore and sustained catastrophic damage, resulting in a Total Loss. The Schooner’s previous stranding at Pentwater had likely weakened its structure, contributing to its inability to withstand the storm.

There are no reports of loss of life, suggesting that the crew managed to escape safely during or after the vessel was driven ashore. However, the complete destruction of the ship ended its service life, and the JAMES HUGHES was subsequently Abandoned.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the wreck of the JAMES HUGHES being located near Muskegon. Given the vessel’s age and the likely disintegration of wooden shipwrecks in shallow waters, remnants may have deteriorated or become buried under shifting sands.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No current navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported near Muskegon, Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The JAMES HUGHES represents the early Schooner era of Great Lakes shipping, a period when vessels were critical to the transportation of lumber and other bulk materials that fueled the rapid growth of cities like Chicago. The vessel’s loss in 1855 near Muskegon, following its prior stranding at Pentwater, illustrates the challenges faced by mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan. While no lives were reported lost, the Schooner’s destruction marked the end of another workhorse of the Great Lakes lumber trade.

If you’re interested in exploring more about Charles Mears and his role in the Great Lakes lumber industry or similar shipwrecks near Muskegon, let me know!