Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

J.B. Chapin US 13873

Explore the remains of the J.B. Chapin, a 19th-century scow-schooner wrecked during a storm in Lake Michigan, with no intact remains left to discover.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: J.B. Chapin
  • Type: Two-masted wooden scow-schooner
  • Year Built: 1858
  • Builder: Swan Creek (Detroit?), Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: string
  • Location: Between South Chicago, IL, and Michigan City, IN
  • Coordinates: string
  • Official Number: 13 873
  • Original Owners: Captain F. Madison & Thomas Miller
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Two-masted wooden scow-schooner

Description

Built: 1858, Swan Creek (Detroit?), Michigan
Official Number: 13 873 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Homeport: Chicago
Owners: Captain F. Madison & Thomas Miller
Major Refits: 1863 repairs noted
Cargo at Loss: Lumber

History

Chronology & Operational History

  • 1858: Constructed at Swan Creek (Detroit-area), Michigan; initially registered as a schooner (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • By 1860: Under Captain John Miner’s command, according to Meandering Michigan History (MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY).
  • November 8, 1877: While laden with lumber on Lake Michigan, encountered a severe storm. The vessel was driven ashore between South Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana, narrowly avoiding sinking but breaking up on the shoreline (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • Date of Loss: November 8, 1877
  • Location: Between South Chicago, IL, and Michigan City, IN, on Lake Michigan
  • Cause: Grounded by gale-force weather; stranded and broke up on the beach
  • Casualties: None reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Wreck Condition: Hull destroyed by wave action; vessel disintegrated upon impact

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The wreck reached the beach and was broken apart, making it non-divable and likely left with no intact remains. Shoreline development and erosion since 1877 likely obscured or removed any remnants. Possible remnants may be buried in sediment or removed during cleanup or salvage efforts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is not accessible for diving due to its disintegration and the lack of intact remains.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-b-chapin-us-13873″ title=”References & Links”]

The J.B. Chapin was a mid-19th-century scow-schooner that met its end on November 8, 1877, driven ashore during a Lake Michigan storm and destroyed near the Illinois–Indiana shoreline. No lives were lost. The vessel’s remains were not preserved, but detailed investigation of contemporary newspapers, insurance records, and local municipal files could uncover more about its final voyage, crew, and salvage history.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Built: 1858, Swan Creek (Detroit?), Michigan
Vessel Type: Two‑masted wooden scow‑schooner
Official Number: 13 873 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Homeport: Chicago
Owners: Captain F. Madison & Thomas Miller
Major Refits: 1863 repairs noted
Cargo at Loss: Lumber

Chronology & Operational History

  • 1858: Constructed at Swan Creek (Detroit-area), Michigan; initially registered as a schooner (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • By 1860: Under Captain John Miner’s command, according to Meandering Michigan History (MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY).
  • November 8, 1877: While laden with lumber on Lake Michigan, encountered a severe storm. The vessel was driven ashore between South Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana, narrowly avoiding sinking but breaking up on the shoreline (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Disposition

  • Date of Loss: November 8, 1877
  • Location: Between South Chicago, IL, and Michigan City, IN, on Lake Michigan
  • Cause: Grounded by gale-force weather; stranded and broke up on the beach
  • Casualties: None reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Wreck Condition: Hull destroyed by wave action; vessel disintegrated upon impact

Site & Dive Notes

  • The wreck reached the beach and was broken apart, making it non-divable and likely left with no intact remains.
  • Shoreline development and erosion since 1877 likely obscured or removed any remnants.
  • Possible remnants may be buried in sediment or removed during cleanup or salvage efforts.

Research Recommendations

To shed further light on the J.B. CHAPIN’s final moments and post-wreck activities:

  1. Newspaper Archives (November 1877):
    • Chicago Tribune, Chicago Inter Ocean, and Michigan City News for wreck descriptions, crew accounts, or salvage notes.
  2. Insurance & Underwriter Records:
    • Chicago-based marine insurers (e.g., Board of Lake Underwriters) or Indiana claim registries for cargo loss or vessel claims.
  3. Municipal Records:
    • Debris clearance or public works files from Chicago and Michigan City municipalities.
  4. Harbor Authority Logs:
    • Chicago Harbor master’s records may contain notice of wreck or navigation hazards along shoreline.
  5. Local Historical Societies:
    • Michigan City Public Library, Lake County (IN) Historical Society archives, or Chicago maritime history collections.

Archival Sources

Summary

The J.B. CHAPIN was a mid-19th-century scow-schooner that met its end on November 8, 1877, driven ashore during a Lake Michigan storm and destroyed near the Illinois–Indiana shoreline. No lives were lost. The vessel’s remains were not preserved, but detailed investigation of contemporary newspapers, insurance records, and local municipal files could uncover more about its final voyage, crew, and salvage history.

j-b-chapin-us-13873 1884-11-08 15:24:00