Shipwreck Report: J.H. Outhwaite

Identification & Site Information

•Name: J.H. Outhwaite

•Type: Wooden Steam Screw Vessel

•Official Number: 76636

•Built: 1886, Cleveland, Ohio

•Owner: W.C. Richardson of Cleveland, Ohio

•Gross Tonnage: 1304 tons

•Net Tonnage: 1699 tons

•Dimensions:

•Length: 224.0 feet (68.3 meters)

•Beam: 37.4 feet (11.4 meters)

•Depth: 18.6 feet (5.7 meters)

•Power: 700 Nominal horsepower (Steam Screw Propulsion)

•Cargo at Loss: Iron ore

•Location of Wreck: Little Sable Point, Straits of Mackinac

•Date of Incident: November 29, 1905

Vessel Type Description

The J.H. Outhwaite was a wooden Steam Screw Vessel, designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. Steam screw vessels like the Outhwaite were known for their versatility and power, combining steam engines with Screw Propulsion to achieve greater efficiency compared to traditional sailing ships. The vessel’s size and capacity made it ideal for the iron ore trade, a cornerstone of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History

1.Construction and Career:

•Built in 1886 by skilled shipbuilders in Cleveland, Ohio, the J.H. Outhwaite served as a robust and reliable bulk freighter for nearly two decades.

•Owned by W.C. Richardson, the vessel was primarily engaged in transporting heavy cargoes, such as iron ore, between ports on the Great Lakes.

2.Incident on November 29, 1905:

•While navigating the Straits of Mackinac, the vessel experienced a mechanical failure, specifically a broken steering gear, causing it to run aground at Little Sable Point.

•At the time, the Outhwaite was towing the Schooner Mary Mitchell, both laden with iron ore and en route from Escanaba to ports in Ohio.

3.Catastrophic Fire:

•After grounding, the J.H. Outhwaite caught fire, leading to the complete destruction of the vessel.

•Despite the significant loss, all crew members survived, escaping before the fire consumed the ship.

4.Aftermath:

•The wreckage of the J.H. Outhwaite remained near Little Sable Point, marking the site of its demise.

•The Mary Mitchell, though stranded, was deemed salvageable, and tugs were dispatched to assist in her recovery.

5.Loss Valuation:

•The J.H. Outhwaite was valued at $45,000, reflecting its size, tonnage, and operational utility at the time. Its loss, along with its iron ore cargo, was a substantial economic blow.

Final Disposition

The J.H. Outhwaite was declared a Total Loss following the fire. The wreck has likely deteriorated over the years, with little remaining of the wooden structure due to the harsh underwater conditions of the Great Lakes.

Located By & Date

•The incident was well-documented shortly after it occurred in 1905, with reports specifying Little Sable Point as the wreck’s location.

•However, no modern efforts to locate or study the wreck have been documented, and its exact coordinates remain unknown.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

•While the wreck is not marked as a navigational hazard today, Little Sable Point and the surrounding waters are known for their historical significance and treacherous conditions. Mariners should remain cautious when navigating the area.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records and historical accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Details on shipwrecks and vessel losses.

David Swayze Shipwreck File

3.NOAA AWOIS Database: Information on wreck locations and hazards.

NOAA Wrecks Database

4.Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Insights into Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Thunder Bay NMS

Conclusion

The wreck of the J.H. Outhwaite highlights the perils of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, where mechanical failures, severe weather, and challenging conditions often resulted in tragedy. Its story is a testament to the risks faced by those who worked the lakes and the critical role such vessels played in North America’s industrial development. Though its remains are likely lost to time, the legacy of the Outhwaite lives on in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords

#JHOuthwaite #GreatLakesShipwreck #WoodenSteamer #LittleSablePoint #StraitsOfMackinac #IronOreTrade #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #NavigationHazard #Early20thCenturyShipping #MaryMitchell