IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Chester B. Jones was a wooden-hulled, three-masted schooner-barge built in 1873. Schooner-barges were versatile vessels used primarily for transporting bulk cargoes such as lumber, coal, and grain. They were often towed by steamers across the Great Lakes, making them an essential part of the shipping industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
HISTORY #
The Chester B. Jones was launched in 1873 in East Saginaw, Michigan, and enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan, on August 15 of that year. The vessel had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, experiencing several groundings, repairs, and changes in ownership.
In November 1873, the Chester B. Jones ran aground near North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan, but was successfully refloated. Over the years, it was towed by various steamers, including the A. A. Turner in 1874, the Oregon in 1882, and the D. M. Wilson in 1884.
The schooner-barge was heavily involved in the lumber trade on Lake Superior during the 1890s and experienced several incidents, including grounding at Buffalo, New York, in May 1893, and sinking at Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, in September 1895, where seven lives were tragically lost. Despite these challenges, the vessel was repeatedly repaired and continued service for many years.
Ownership of the Chester B. Jones changed multiple times, with the vessel eventually being owned by the Pittsburgh Coal Company in Cleveland, Ohio. By 1920, its home port was Alpena, Michigan. However, by 1924, the aging vessel was finally abandoned due to its deteriorating condition.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Chester B. Jones was abandoned in 1924 after more than 50 years of service on the Great Lakes. The vessel had experienced numerous incidents and repairs throughout its career, but by 1924, it was no longer seaworthy and was left to deteriorate.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The final resting place of the Chester B. Jones is not specifically documented, and no date is provided for its abandonment location.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are documented for the Chester B. Jones.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Office of Coast Survey Wrecks and Obstructions Database: NOAA Wrecks and Obstructions
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Check 3D Shipwrecks for potential 3D models or additional data.
- Great Lakes Maritime Database: Great Lakes Ships
CONCLUSION #
The Chester B. Jones was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes maritime trade, particularly in the lumber industry. Despite numerous challenges, including groundings, sinkings, and ownership changes, the vessel remained in service for over five decades. The eventual abandonment of the Chester B. Jones in 1924 marked the end of an era for this hardworking schooner-barge.
KEYWORDS #
- Chester B. Jones schooner-barge
- Great Lakes maritime history
- Saginaw shipbuilding
- 19th-century Great Lakes trade
- Lumber trade vessels
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #
Further research into local archives, shipping records, and historical newspapers could provide more detailed information about the final years and exact abandonment location of the Chester B. Jones. Understanding the full history of such vessels enriches the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping and the evolution of maritime commerce in the region.
