Identification & Site Information

• Name: J.H. Tiffany
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wooden, 2-mast
• Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
• Date Built: 1856
• Specifications: 136 x 25 x 11 feet (41.45 x 7.62 x 3.35 meters), 370 tons
• Date of Loss: November 29, 1859
• Place of Loss: About 5 miles SE of Gray’s Reef Light, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Collision
• Loss of Life: 5 crew members
• Cargo: Railroad rails

Vessel Type & Description

The J.H. Tiffany was a wooden Schooner, built in 1856 by Lafrinier & Stevenson in Cleveland, Ohio. The Schooner was used primarily for transporting bulk cargo, such as railroad rails in this instance. She had two masts and was built to handle the tough conditions of the Great Lakes, especially the Lake Michigan shipping routes. With a 136 feet (41.45 meters) length and a 370-ton capacity, she was a typical cargo vessel for the period, engaging in trade between ports on the lakes.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 29, 1859, the J.H. Tiffany was sailing in Lake Michigan, bound from Oswego to Chicago with a cargo of railroad rails. In a tragic turn of events, she was involved in a collision with the propeller Milwaukee, which had been attempting to pass the Schooner. The J.H. Tiffany had tacked in front of the Milwaukee, causing the propeller to ram her near the bow. The Schooner was severely damaged, and the crew tried to run her aground at Skillagallee, but the vessel sank before reaching safety.

The crew of the J.H. Tiffany scrambled up the mast to avoid drowning, but unfortunately, five of the crew members were lost. The Milwaukee, the vessel responsible for the collision, also sank during the accident. The survivors from both vessels were later rescued by the propeller Free State, which had witnessed the collision and came to their aid.

After the wreck, much of the cargo was salvaged later in 1874, though the wreck itself was never fully recovered. The Schooner was owned by Baldwin & Co. of Oswego at the time of her loss.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Gray’s Reef Light: The location of the accident occurred about 5 miles SE of this prominent Lake Michigan light. Mariners should be aware that this area, which includes various reefs and shallows, can be hazardous, especially in stormy conditions or when Visibility is poor. Collision Hazards: The J.H. Tiffany’s collision with the Milwaukee underscores the importance of proper navigational practice, particularly when sailing near large vessels or at night.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
• Wikipedia – Gray’s Light Reef

Conclusion

The J.H. Tiffany was a wooden Schooner that tragically sank after a collision with the propeller Milwaukee on November 29, 1859, while traveling in Lake Michigan. Despite the best efforts of her crew to save the vessel, she went down after being rammed by the Milwaukee, and the crew was left scrambling for survival. The loss of five crew members in this collision, as well as the sinking of the Milwaukee, highlights the risks associated with shipping on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. This event is a reminder of the deadly potential of shipwrecks on busy and often perilous waterways.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Schooner collision, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Great Lakes shipping accidents, 19th-century maritime disasters

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century maritime disasters, Great Lakes schooners

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Collision, Propeller ship, Railroad cargo, Free State