Identification & Site Information

• • Name, Former Names: JESSIE
• • Year Built: 1855
• • Builder: Louis Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
• • Vessel Type: Schooner
• • Hull Material: Wood
• • Number of Decks: 1
• • Original Owner: J. L. Ranney
• • Final Location: North shore of Salmon Point, Lake Ontario
• • Coordinates: Not specified
• • Depth: Presumed shallow
• • Date Wrecked: October 31, 1870
• • Discovered By: Wrecked at the time of loss
• • Final Cargo: Wheat
• • Measurements: Length 122 feet (37.2 meters), Beam 25 feet (7.6 meters), Depth 10.5 feet (3.2 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The JESSIE was a two-masted wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. With a tonnage of 312 (old style), it was typical of mid-19th-century schooners, carrying bulk goods such as wheat and enduring the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.

History

Early Mishaps

The JESSIE’s career began with a significant setback. Shortly after its construction in 1855, it wrecked off Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan on October 24 of the same year. This marked the start of a history filled with accidents:

• • 1857: Collided with the propeller Oliver Cromwell in the Straits of Mackinac, sinking the latter.
• • 1859: Another collision with the Schooner International in November, requiring towing assistance.
• • 1860-1866: Ownership changed to P. Larkins, and then to Batt & Sheppard of Port Stanley, Ontario. The vessel underwent repairs after sustaining damage during a gale on Lake Huron in 1864.

Later Incidents

• 1868: Ran aground in Port Colborne, Lake Erie, but was successfully refloated and returned to service.

Final Voyage

On October 31, 1870, while en route from Toronto to Kingston with a cargo of wheat, the JESSIE was caught in a storm and driven ashore on the north side of Salmon Point in Lake Ontario. The wreck was catastrophic, with the Schooner breaking apart and all nine crew members tragically lost.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the JESSIE lies on the north shore of Salmon Point. Given the wooden construction and the passage of time, the wreck is presumed to be in an advanced state of deterioration. The exact condition remains unknown due to the lack of recent exploration.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is expected to be largely decayed. Its shallow location suggests potential accessibility for archaeological or diving exploration, though no recent reports confirm the site’s exact state.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Wrecks Database
• • Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

Analysis

The JESSIE’s history exemplifies the perilous nature of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation. Frequent mishaps, including collisions and groundings, illustrate the challenges of maritime commerce during that period. Despite these incidents, the vessel’s repeated repairs and return to service highlight its resilience and the economic imperative of maintaining cargo routes.

The loss of the JESSIE and its crew underscores the need for advancements in ship design and safety protocols that emerged in response to such tragedies. Today, the JESSIE’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the Great Lakes’ rich but often tragic maritime heritage.