Identification & Site Information

• Name: JOHN H. DRAKE (also seen as J.H. DRAKE)
• Official Number: 12757
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Measurements: Length: 131 feet (39.9 meters); Beam: 26 feet (7.9 meters); Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters); Tonnage: 271 tons
• Date Lost: September 28, 1872
• Vessel Type Wooden schooner-barge, two-masted

Description

The JOHN H. DRAKE was a wooden two-masted schooner-barge constructed in 1855 by shipbuilder William Jones in Black River, Ohio. Originally built as a Schooner, she was later adapted to serve as a Barge, primarily transporting lumber across the Great Lakes. Her dimensions and design were typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes schooners, facilitating efficient cargo transport in the region.

History

Throughout her operational life, the JOHN H. DRAKE was actively engaged in the lumber trade, a vital industry for the burgeoning cities around the Great Lakes. In November 1869, while en route from Alpena to Chicago carrying salt and lumber, she encountered a blizzard that led her off course into Grand Traverse Bay. Approximately five miles north of Traverse City, she ran aground. In early December of the same year, the stranded vessel caught fire and was Abandoned with significant damage. Despite these setbacks, she was salvaged and underwent major repairs in 1863, allowing her to return to service.

On September 28, 1872, the JOHN H. DRAKE was navigating Lake Michigan, north of Chicago Harbor, when a severe gale struck the region. The storm, which affected shipping across Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie, resulted in over 60 fatalities. The DRAKE was driven ashore by the relentless winds and waves. By October 1, reports indicated that she had become hogged—a condition where the Hull bends upward at the center—and was rapidly breaking apart. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among her crew during this incident.

Final Disposition

The catastrophic damage sustained during the 1872 storm rendered the JOHN H. DRAKE beyond repair. Her remains were left to deteriorate along the shoreline north of Chicago Harbor, contributing to the numerous shipwrecks that attest to the treacherous conditions faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during that era.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the JOHN H. DRAKE has been located or surveyed to date.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No navigational warnings or advisories related to the JOHN H. DRAKE wreck site are currently noted.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: JOHN H. DRAKE
• • Great Lakes Vessels Online Index: JOHN H. DRAKE
• • David Swayze Shipwreck File: JOHN H. DRAKE

The story of the JOHN H. DRAKE exemplifies the challenges and hazards faced by 19th-century maritime vessels operating on the Great Lakes. From severe weather events to navigational difficulties, ships like the DRAKE played a crucial role in regional commerce, often at great risk to their crews and structures.

Keywords: JOHN H. DRAKE, schooner-barge, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Michigan, maritime history

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Wooden Schooners

Glossary Terms:

• • Schooner-Barge: A sailing vessel, typically with two or more masts, adapted to be towed by a Steamer or Tug, used primarily for cargo transport.
• • Hogged: A condition in which a vessel’s Hull bends upward at the center, often due to structural weakness or damage.
• • Gross Tonnage: A measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel.
• • Net Tonnage: The volume of cargo a vessel can carry; calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces from the Gross Tonnage.