History #
The John Jacob Astor was a brig or schooner (sometimes referred to as both) that was built in 1835. It was owned by Astor’s American Fur Company and was reportedly the first commercial vessel on Lake Superior. The ship was primarily used for trading and fishing.
On September 21, 1844, the John Jacob Astor struck a reef and foundered near Copper Harbor, Michigan, in the Keweenaw Peninsula. The ship was carrying furs and trade goods at the time of the accident, but there was no loss of life. The wreckage of the ship was still visible in the early 1860s.
The vessel had a length of 78 feet, a beam of 22 feet, and a depth of 8 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 112 tons. The ship’s master at the time of the loss was Captain Stannard.
In 1970, an anchor from the John Jacob Astor was recovered. The ship’s official number, other names, and registration information are unknown.
Please note that the information provided is based on historical records, and there may be some variations or discrepancies in the details.
