Identification & Site Information
- Name: Jennie Matthews
- Other Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 75618
- Date Built and Launched: Launched May 7, 1874, at Port Huron, Michigan
- Measurements: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m) Beam: 26.2 ft (8 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 332.91 tons
- Net Tonnage: 316.27 tons
- Home Port: Ogdensburg, New York
Vessel Type
The Jennie Matthews was a three-masted wooden Schooner, primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, such as grain and coal, across the Great Lakes. The Jennie Matthews was built in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1874, modeled after the Mary Lyon, a well-regarded vessel of the time. The Schooner featured a sleek design admired by many at her launch, with an emphasis on maximizing cargo space while maintaining good sailing performance. She was owned by Mr. Hardison, and her maiden voyage was commanded by Captain McGifford. Designed for the bustling Great Lakes trade routes, she regularly transported agricultural products like corn and industrial materials like coal.
History
The Jennie Matthews had a dynamic career, marked by several significant incidents and repairs:
On June 16, 1881, during a severe squall over Detroit, the Jennie Matthews was driven aground on Fighting Island in the Detroit River, along with the Tug McClellan and the steambarge Jenness. While the McClellan managed to free herself and the Jenness was pulled off by the Tug Hall, the Jennie Matthews remained stranded, reported to be three feet out of the water. To refloat her, 7,000 bushels of corn were lightered (offloaded) before she was finally freed on June 18, 1881.
On August 29, 1893, the Jennie Matthews was in tow with the Schooner-barges Hamilton J. Mills and William Wheeler, under the guidance of the Tug David Proctor. The convoy encountered a gale on Lake Ontario, causing the tow to break apart. While the Hamilton J. Mills and William Wheeler sank during the storm, the Jennie Matthews survived, demonstrating her seaworthiness in challenging conditions.
On October 2, 1897, the Jennie Matthews sank at Ogdensburg, New York, while loaded with coal. This incident highlighted the risks faced by schooners operating in busy ports, even when docked or anchored. However, the vessel was not lost permanently. Wreckers succeeded in raising the Schooner, and she was subsequently repaired at Ogdensburg later that month, demonstrating the vessel’s resilience and the value of wooden schooners during this era.
Final Disposition
The Jennie Matthews continued to operate on the Great Lakes after her 1897 sinking and repairs at Ogdensburg. There are no clear records of her final disposition, suggesting that she may have been retired quietly or lost without significant documentation.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Jennie Matthews have been issued.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Jennie Matthews reflects the resilience and versatility of Great Lakes schooners in the late 19th century. Despite multiple groundings and even sinking incidents, the Schooner was repeatedly salvaged and returned to service, highlighting the economic value of these vessels during this era of robust maritime trade. Her involvement in significant incidents like the Fighting Island grounding and the 1893 Lake Ontario gale illustrates the constant challenges faced by Great Lakes sailors, from sudden storms to shifting cargo. The Schooner’s history offers a vivid snapshot of life and commerce on the Great Lakes during a time of both technological progress and persistent maritime risk.
Suggested Keywords: Jennie Matthews, Fighting Island shipwrecks, Lake Ontario schooners, Ogdensburg maritime history, Great Lakes Schooner salvage, Detroit River squalls.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Salvage History.
Glossary Terms: Three-Masted Schooner, Grounding, Lightering Cargo, Coal Transport, Fighting Island Navigation Hazards.
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