The maritime history of the Great Lakes is replete with stories of vessels that fell victim to the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the waters. Among these tales stands the account of the schooner-barge J.B. COMSTOCK, a vessel that met its tragic end on October 8, 1906, in the tumultuous embrace of Lake Huron. This narrative paints a vivid picture of the vessel’s ill-fated journey, the valiant efforts of its crew, and the relentless power of nature that ultimately sealed its fate.
In 1891, the JJ.B. COMSTOCK, emerged from the shipyards of Algonac, Michigan, a two-masted schooner-barge with dimensions of 139.4×30.1×10.9 feet. Owned by A.W. Comstock of Alpena, Michigan, the vessel embarked on a journey marked by the transportation of lumber across the vast expanse of Lake Huron.
October 8, 1906, witnessed the unfolding of a tragedy that would forever be etched into the annals of maritime history. The J.B. COMSTOCK, accompanied by its tow steamer LANGELL BOYS and two other barges, sought refuge from an oncoming storm near the Duck Islands, off Manitoulin. Anchored in the lee of the Ducks, the vessels believed they had found a haven amidst the brewing tempest.
However, as fate would have it, the weather took a sudden and treacherous turn. A change in wind direction exposed the vessels to the full force of the storm, stripping them of their shelter. Caught off guard, the J.B. COMSTOCK found itself driven ashore on the Duck Islands, its hull battered by the relentless waves.
The crew of the J.B. COMSTOCK, numbering seven brave souls, faced the storm’s fury head-on. As the vessel was pummeled by the unrelenting waves, their efforts to hold onto their vessel were in vain. The raging tempest proved too powerful, and the J.B. COMSTOCK succumbed to the force of the water. Its wooden hull splintered and shattered against the rocks, leaving a testament to the brutal power of Lake Huron’s wrath.
Although the vessel and its precious cargo of lumber were lost, the most precious cargo of all—the lives of its crew—was spared. Miraculously, no lives were lost among the seven individuals who had battled against the elements. The legacy of the J.B. COMSTOCK endures as a symbol of the perilous journeys undertaken by mariners of the Great Lakes.
The story of the J.B. COMSTOCK serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges that mariners faced as they navigated the tempestuous waters of Lake Huron. The vessel’s ill-fated encounter with a ferocious storm underscores the delicate balance between human determination and the overwhelming forces of nature. As we reflect upon the tale of the J.B. COMSTOCK, we are reminded of the bravery of its crew, the power of Lake Huron, and the enduring stories woven into the fabric of maritime history.
