Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: G. J. Whitney
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: George Hardison, Charlotte, New York
- Dimensions: Approx. 77 × 18 × 7 ft (79 tons)
- Registered Tonnage: 79 tons
- Location: Mid-Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 10794
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, large-capacity design; at one point considered the “largest sail vessel on the lakes by capacity.”
Description
The G. J. Whitney was launched in 1867 and was primarily used for transporting bulk commodities such as corn and grain across the Great Lakes.
History
After her launch, the G. J. Whitney successfully operated on the Great Lakes, specializing in carrying bulk commodities like corn and grain. On September 28, 1872, she departed Chicago with a full load of 23,700 bushels of corn. Although the weather was initially calm, she soon encountered a severe gale. Notably, the captain reportedly flew his ensign upside down, signaling distress upon departure. The Whitney was never sighted again, and no passage through the Straits of Mackinac was reported, indicating a probable foundering in mid-Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- No confirmed wreck discovery; records show no survivors and no bodies or lifeboats recovered.
- No Notices to Mariners or official hazard bulletins referencing the loss have surfaced.
- Classified as “foundered/storm loss, total loss.”
Final Disposition
After her sinking, the G. J. Whitney was erroneously reported as wrecked and raised, with claims that she was taken to Detroit. However, the date and exact wreck site remain unclear, possibly referring to another vessel with a similar name.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the G. J. Whitney has not been discovered, and there are no known remains or artifacts associated with the vessel. Further research and underwater surveys are recommended to locate potential remnants.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”g-j-whitney-geo-f-whitney-george-j-whitney-us-10794″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner G. J. Whitney represents a significant example of large-capacity wooden sailing vessels lost to sudden autumn storms in Lake Michigan. Despite its scale and the quantity of cargo, the wreck remains undiscovered, and records are sparse and sometimes contradictory. A focused archival and sonar-based research initiative would be essential to either locate the vessel or finally close its historical file.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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