Shipwreck Report: John Webber (1856–1875)

Identification & Site Information

•  Vessel Name: John Webber (also recorded as John Weber)
• Official Number: 12970
• Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1856, by C. Hinman, Black River, Ohio
• Final Location: Near Escanaba, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: October 5, 1875
• Cause: Hull failure – sprung a leak and was beached but broke apart
• Final Cargo: Iron ore
• Loss of Life: None reported
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Length: 93 feet (28.3 meters) Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters) Depth: 10 feet (3.0 meters)
• Tonnage: 153 tons
• Owner: Wex, Buffalo, New York

Operational History

The John Webber was a mid-sized two-masted Schooner, launched in 1856 at Black River, Ohio, by C. Hinman.  Built for bulk cargo transportation, the vessel carried iron ore, coal, grain, and other freight between ports on the Great Lakes.

She was part of the heavy shipping trade between Michigan’s Upper Peninsula iron mines and industrial centers like Cleveland and Buffalo. Like many wooden schooners, she underwent multiple repairs and rebuilds throughout her career:

• 1870: Rebuilt after going ashore on Lake Erie.
• Spring 1875: Heavy repairs following another grounding incident Despite these repairs, the vessel’s aging Hull became a serious liability, leading to her final disaster later in 1875.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 5, 1875) – Departure from Escanaba:  The John Webber departed Escanaba, Michigan, loaded with iron ore.Soon after leaving port, she began taking on water rapidly, indicating a major structural failure in the Hull.

Emergency Beaching Attempt:  The captain and crew, realizing the vessel was sinking, attempted to beach her. Unfortunately, the chosen grounding site had a sharp drop-off underwater.  As a result, her bow was stuck on a sandbar, but her Stern was left in deep water (40 feet/12 meters).

 Breakup and Abandonment: With the Stern unsupported, the vessel broke in two, causing catastrophic damage. A general storm swept the area on October 13, further destroying the wreck. The vessel was officially declared Abandoned shortly after.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Escanaba, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Depth: 40 feet (12 meters) at Stern, bow possibly in shallower water
• Current Condition:
  • Given the violent breakup of the Hull, the remains of John Webber are likely scattered across the lakebed.
  •  Some iron fastenings and cargo remnants (iron ore) may still be present at the site.
  • The storm activity and waves near Escanaba may have buried much of the wreckage under sand.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest:
  • No known modern discovery of the wreck has been recorded.
  •  Given Lake Michigan’s clear waters, side-scan sonar surveys may one day locate parts of the wreckage.

Legacy and Significance

An Example of Hull Failure in Aging Wooden Schooners  By 1875, the John Webber was nearly 20 years old, and even with repairs, wooden hulls often became structurally weak. The Great Lakes were notorious for wooden schooners suffering leaks, Hull separations, or outright breakups.

The Perils of Great Lakes Iron Ore Transport  Many schooners like the John Webber carried iron ore from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to steel mills in Cleveland and Buffalo. These vessels were heavily loaded, making them prone to Hull strain and leaks, especially in rough waters.

The Risks of Beaching a Ship in an Emergency  The attempt to beach the vessel was a smart move, but the unexpected deep drop-off doomed the ship. This underscores the importance of knowing lakebed conditions before attempting a grounding.

A Likely Forgotten Wreck The John Webber was quickly Abandoned, and no significant wreckage has been identified in recent times. Unlike some high-profile shipwrecks, her story has largely faded from memory except in maritime history circles.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Database of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including those lost near Escanaba.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, Michigan) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Contains records on shipwrecks in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA – Lake Michigan & Huron Wrecks) https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/thunderbay Conducts underwater surveys and mapping of wreck sites.

Conclusion

The John Webber was a typical mid-19th-century Great Lakes Schooner, serving for nearly two decades in the iron ore trade before succumbing to a Hull failure in 1875.

Her crew attempted to beach her near Escanaba, but the vessel broke in two when the Stern settled into deep water, leading to her Total Loss.

Though no known wreckage has been located, her story is a reminder of the dangers faced by schooners transporting heavy cargoes on the Great Lakes.