IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The John Breden was originally constructed as a bark in 1862 but underwent multiple modifications over its operational life, eventually being converted into a schooner-barge. The vessel was designed primarily for cargo transportation across the Great Lakes, with a wooden hull typical of the era. It had three masts after its final conversion and was involved in various trades, including lumber and general freight.
HISTORY:
The John Breden’s journey began in 1862 when it was built by Andrews & Donaldson in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The vessel was initially designed as a bark, with John Breden and others from Kingston, Ontario, being its original owners. Over the decades, the ship underwent several ownership changes and significant modifications, reflecting the dynamic nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes.
By 1865, the vessel’s tonnage had increased, and further changes were made in the following years. The ship encountered several incidents, including a loss of canvas and a yardarm near AuSable, Michigan, in 1871, and a collision with the tug Zoave in 1875, which caused it to run aground at Elk Island in the St. Clair River. These mishaps led to various repairs and structural changes.
The John Breden’s ownership changed hands multiple times, with significant owners including Folger Bros. from Cape Vincent, New York, in 1871, and later Stanley & Reed of Chicago, Illinois, in 1873. In 1888, the vessel was converted into a three-masted schooner by A.W. Comstock of Alpena, Michigan. However, this conversion was reversed, and the ship returned to being a barge after large repairs.
The final years of the John Breden were marked by financial and legal troubles, leading to its seizure by U.S. Marshals in 1898. It was sold at auction to Ronald Kelley of Toledo, Ohio, in December 1898. Unfortunately, the vessel met its tragic end on July 21, 1899, when it foundered in a violent storm on Lake Huron, just four miles off the coast of Lexington, Michigan.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The John Breden foundered during a storm on July 21, 1899, while being towed from Toledo, Ohio, to Bay City, Michigan. The vessel was lost in Lake Huron, approximately four miles off the coast of Lexington, Michigan. The ship’s exact fate was sealed by the severe weather conditions, which caused it to sink and become a part of the lake’s maritime history.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the John Breden.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the John Breden has been known since shortly after its sinking in 1899, though exact details of its final resting place may be sparse.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University
- Shipwreck Log
- Great Lakes Maritime History
KEYWORDS:
John Breden, John Bredin, schooner-barge, Lake Huron shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipping, Lexington, Michigan.
CONCLUSION:
The John Breden’s story is a reflection of the challenges and perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. From its construction as a bark in 1862 to its eventual conversion into a schooner-barge, the vessel’s history is marked by transformations, incidents, and a tragic end in the unforgiving waters of Lake Huron. The wreck now rests beneath the lake’s surface, serving as a poignant reminder of the ship’s long and tumultuous journey.
