1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The BIGLER was a wooden-hulled schooner built in 1866 by James Madison Jones in Detroit, Michigan. Measuring 144 feet (43.9 meters) in length, with a beam of 26 feet (7.9 meters) and a depth of 12 feet (3.7 meters), the vessel was a typical Great Lakes schooner of its time. It had a gross tonnage of 344 tons and a net tonnage of 327 tons, indicating its capacity for carrying significant cargo, often timber or stone. The schooner was designed to navigate the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes, transporting goods between various ports.
3. HISTORY #
The schooner BIGLER, originally enrolled in Detroit, served as a timber carrier and general cargo vessel on the Great Lakes. Throughout its career, the vessel had several owners, including A. Currier of Detroit and George C. Finney of Chicago, reflecting the common practice of ownership changes among Great Lakes vessels during this period. The schooner played a vital role in the regional economy, moving bulk goods such as timber and stone.
One notable incident occurred in 1881 when the BIGLER encountered difficulties on Lake Huron, including leaks and grounding. The vessel was towed to Port Huron, Michigan, where it underwent repairs that included patching and caulking the hull to restore its seaworthiness.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
On September 3, 1884, the BIGLER met its tragic end in Lake Superior. The schooner was caught in a storm about 10 miles north of Huron Islands while carrying a cargo of stone. The rough weather proved too much for the vessel, which foundered and was deemed a total loss. The hull was valued at $10,000, while the cargo was valued at $3,500. Insurance coverage for the ship and cargo amounted to $11,500. Fortunately, all crew members survived the sinking.
In the aftermath, Captain Murray, who commanded the BIGLER at the time, filed a protest against the insurance company, though details of the protest are not provided. This action indicates potential disputes over the insurance claim following the loss of the vessel.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the BIGLER. The exact location of the wreck is not provided, and it remains one of many lost vessels in the vast waters of Lake Superior.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the BIGLER has not been specifically located or explored, and its exact resting place remains unknown.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Without precise coordinates or further exploration, the condition and accessibility of the BIGLER’s wreck are unknown. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the length of time since its sinking, it is likely that any remains are heavily deteriorated and buried under sediment.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Website
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The BIGLER’s history as a timber carrier and general cargo vessel highlights the vital role that schooners played in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. Despite its ultimate loss, the vessel’s service life was marked by both routine voyages and challenging incidents, such as the grounding in Lake Huron and the final, fatal storm on Lake Superior. The protest filed by Captain Murray following the sinking suggests that the loss of the BIGLER may have involved contentious issues, possibly related to the vessel’s condition or the circumstances of the storm.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Due to the lack of precise location information and the probable depth at which the BIGLER rests, diving on the wreck is not feasible. The cold and deep waters of Lake Superior present additional challenges, and any potential exploration would require advanced technical diving capabilities and permissions.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Wooden Schooner
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
CONCLUSION #
The schooner BIGLER, known by several names including J. BIGLER and JOHN BIGLER, was a significant vessel in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Built in 1866 and lost in 1884, its career reflects both the opportunities and dangers faced by cargo vessels during this period. The loss of the BIGLER in a storm on Lake Superior adds another chapter to the long and storied history of maritime endeavors on the Great Lakes.
