Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. B. Martin
- Type: Three-Masted Schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: unknown
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 200-300 tons (estimate)
- Location: Exact site unknown; last reported passed the Straits
- Coordinates: Exact GPS coordinates not available
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden three-masted schooner, likely converted to a barkentine or scow later.
Description
Description: The J. B. Martin was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1868. It was typically registered between 200 to 300 tons, although the exact measurement has not been confirmed. The vessel was carrying wheat on its last voyage.
History
History: The J. B. Martin was built in 1868, but specific details about its construction and ownership remain unknown. The vessel’s service history includes transporting cargo, specifically wheat, from Milwaukee to Buffalo.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- Lost on November 5, 1869, during one of the largest recorded gales on the Great Lakes, known as the November Gale of 1869.
- All 10 crew members perished in the incident, with no survivors reported.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition: The J. B. Martin foundered during the storm, and its exact wreck site remains unknown. It is believed to have sunk in deep waters of Lake Michigan or possibly Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility: As a storm-foundered wooden schooner, the J. B. Martin likely broke apart rapidly in deep water. There is no known shoreline wreckage, and no documented surveys have been conducted. The wreck remains unlocated and is likely unrecoverable without remote sensing.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-b-martin-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary: The J. B. Martin represents a significant maritime loss during a critical storm event in Great Lakes history. Its remains, if located, would provide insights into mid-19th-century cargo vessel design and the navigational challenges of the era.
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.
Three-Masted Schooner J. B. Martin — (built 1868; sunk Nov 5, 1869)
Identity & Specifications
- Name: J. B. Martin
- Built: 1868 (shipyard unknown)
- Rig: Wooden three-masted schooner (likely converted to a barkentine or scow later)
- Tonnage: Typically between 200–300 tons for similar vessels—exact measurement not found yet
- Cargo on Last Voyage: Wheat
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: November 5, 1869
- Route: Milwaukee → Buffalo, loaded with wheat
- Incident: Caught in one of the largest recorded Great Lakes gales of the century—likely the infamous “November Gale of 1869” lasting Nov 4–6 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, linkstothepast.com, YouTube, NPGallery, Shipwreck Log)
- Outcome: J. B. Martin foundered during the storm
- Casualties: All 10 crew members lost — “10 [all]” in the record confirms no survivors
Wreck & Site Status
- Location: Exact site unknown; last reported “passed the Straits,” suggesting loss in Lake Michigan, east of the Straits of Mackinac or perhaps Lake Huron
- Condition: As a storm-foundered wooden schooner, she likely broke apart rapidly in deep water—no known shoreline wreckage
- Survey Status: No documented surveys—wreck remains unlocated and likely unrecoverable without remote sensing
Historical Context & Significance
- Part of a deadly storm: The November 1869 gale caused numerous wrecks and marked a turning point in Great Lakes storm awareness (Wikipedia)
- Maritime loss: A total crew loss underscores navigational peril and the limited forecasting and safety procedures of the era
- Understudied wreck: As a large schooner carrying wheat, her remains would reflect mid-19th-century cargo vessel design and storm responses
Research & Survey Plan
| Objective | Action |
|---|---|
| Archival Press & Weather Logs | Search Milwaukee Sentinel, Buffalo Courier, and meteorological records (Nov 1869) to pinpoint the storm track and vessel last known position |
| Lifesaving & Coast Guard Files | Review U.S. Lifesaving Service and lighthouse logs (Mackinac, Beaver Island) for mention of the sinking or debris drift |
| Registry & Build Records | Locate original registry for tonnage, home port, ownership, and design—likely stored under name “J. B. Martin,” built 1868 |
| Remote-Sensing Reconnaissance | Based on historical position, conduct side-scan and magnetometer surveys in storm-prone mid-Lake Michigan waters |
Summary Profile
- Name: J. B. Martin
- Built: 1868
- Tonnage: ~200–300 gon (estimate)
- Lost: Nov 5, 1869 — sank in major gale
- Crew: 10 lives lost
- Cargo: Wheat
- Site: Unlocated; likely in deep Lake Michigan/Huron waters