Identification & Site Information

• Name: John Thursby
• Official Number: 12772
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood
• Builder: R. L. Page, Cattaraugus, New York
• Date Built: 1857
• Specifications: Gross Tonnage: 251 gt (360 tons in measurement)
• Date of Loss: October 8, 1867
• Place of Loss: Near Antrim City, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan
• Cargo: 14,500 bushels of wheat
• Owner at Loss: Chas. Coats, Cleveland
• Master at Loss: Capt. Penny

Vessel Type & Design

The John Thursby was a wooden Schooner, built in 1857 by R.L. Page in Cattaraugus, New York. With a Gross Tonnage of 251 tons (about 360 tons in measurement), it was a sizable vessel for its time. As a Schooner, it had two or more masts, designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Schooners like the John Thursby were commonly used for carrying bulk freight such as grain, coal, and timber.

Final Voyage & Loss

On October 7, 1867, the John Thursby set sail from Milwaukee bound for Cleveland, carrying 14,500 bushels of wheat. However, she was immediately caught in a violent storm on Lake Michigan. The storm drove the Schooner ashore near the mouth of Grand Traverse Bay, near Antrim City, where it was reported as a Total Loss.

Despite the severe conditions, the crew escaped without harm. The Schooner was stranded on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, but there were no casualties. The storm’s intensity likely made it impossible to salvage the vessel at the time.

Final Disposition & Recovery

While the John Thursby was reported as a Total Loss, there are indications that it may have been recovered later. It remained listed in the Merchant Vessels records through 1869 and possibly as late as 1875, suggesting that either some recovery or salvage efforts may have occurred. This is not uncommon for vessels that were driven ashore but had portions of their Hull or cargo retrievable.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Grand Traverse Bay is known for its sudden storms, particularly during the fall months, and mariners were frequently caught off guard by the intense gales that could develop quickly.  The mouth of Grand Traverse Bay is a narrow and shallow area prone to rough weather and hazardous navigation, especially when winds and currents are not favourable.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The John Thursby was a wooden Schooner that suffered a storm-related wreck near the mouth of Grand Traverse Bayon October 8, 1867. While the vessel was lost, the crew survived the ordeal. The Schooner’s cargo of wheat was likely lost with the vessel, though it is possible that some recovery occurred, given its listing in records years after the incident. The storm and the vessel’s stranding exemplify the perils that ships on Lake Michigan faced during this era, particularly in the fall months when sudden storms could arise without warning.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Lake Michigan shipwreck, schooner wrecks, Grand Traverse Bay shipwrecks, 19th-century storm losses, wheat cargo

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes schooners, 19th-century storm losses

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Storm Loss, Grand Traverse Bay