Identification & Site Information

• Name: John V. Ayer (also recorded as J. V. Ayer or Ayre)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: Peck & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio
• Vessel Type: Wooden Bark, 3-Masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 136 ft (41.5 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Tonnage: 353 tons
• Date Lost: November 4, 1856
• Place of Loss: Off St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm (foundering)
• Loss of Life: 10 (all aboard perished)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: 17,000 bushels of wheat

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Vessel Type & Description

The John V. Ayer was a 3-masted wooden Bark, built in 1856 by Peck & Martin in Cleveland, Ohio. Designed for the European trade, the vessel was constructed with substantial passenger accommodations in addition to her cargo-carrying capacity, reflecting her dual role as both a freight and passenger vessel. At 136 feet in length and 353 tons, the John V. Ayer was a sizable vessel for her time, built to handle the rigors of transatlantic voyages as well as Great Lakes shipping.

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History

The John V. Ayer was owned by B.S. Shepherd of Chicago and Samuel Hale of Kenosha, operating out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Despite being newly launched, the vessel embarked on her second voyage when disaster struck. Her role in transporting grain—a critical commodity in the mid-19th century—highlighted the importance of Great Lakes shipping routes in supplying both domestic and international markets.

The vessel’s construction for the European trade suggests she may have been intended to transition from lake to ocean voyages, a common practice at the time for larger, well-built barks. Her substantial passenger cabin indicates that she might have also been used for immigrant transport or passenger services alongside cargo.

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Final Voyage & Loss

On November 4, 1856, during her second voyage, the John V. Ayer encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan off the coast of St. Joseph, Michigan.

Details of the Incident:

• The vessel was carrying 17,000 bushels of wheat when she Foundered in the storm.
• Remarkably, the vessel was not immediately missed, and her loss only became apparent when the captain’s trunk washed ashore near St. Joseph approximately a week later.
• All 10 crew members perished, including Captain Thomas McClelland, who was known locally as an experienced mariner.

Insurance & Financial Loss:

• The John V. Ayer represented an insurance loss of $34,000, a considerable sum at the time, reflecting the value of both the vessel and her cargo.

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Final Disposition

The John V. Ayer Foundered and sank off St. Joseph, Michigan, in Lake Michigan. There is no record of salvage attempts, and the vessel was considered a Total Loss. Given her iron fittings and substantial construction, remnants of the wreck may still exist, though they have not been definitively identified.

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Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed discovery of the John V. Ayer’s wreck. The area off St. Joseph, Michigan, is home to several shipwrecks, and future underwater surveys may eventually identify the remains of this vessel.

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NOTMARs & Advisories

Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, particularly near St. Joseph, is known for sudden storms and strong winds, especially during the fall season. Mariners should exercise caution and monitor weather forecasts closely when navigating this region.

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Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The John V. Ayer’s tragic loss in 1856 highlights the dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners during the mid-19th century. Built for both cargo and passenger service, the vessel’s foundering on only her second voyage reflects the unpredictable and often deadly conditions of Lake Michigan. The loss of all 10 crew members, combined with the vessel’s financial value, made this incident a significant maritime disaster of its time. Despite her short service life, the John V. Ayer remains a poignant example of the risks inherent in early Great Lakes shipping.

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Keywords:

John V. Ayer, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, St. Joseph Foundering, Great Lakes Bark, 19th Century Maritime Disaster

Categories:

Great Lakes Barks, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Storm Disasters

Glossary Terms:

Bark (Barque), Foundering, Wheat Cargo, Maritime Insurance Loss, Great Lakes Passenger Trade