Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

J. Barber US 12981

Explore the wreck of the J. Barber, a wooden propeller steamer lost to fire in 1871, resting 80 feet deep in Lake Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: J. Barber
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger and fruit boat
  • Year Built: 1856
  • Builder: L. Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 125 ft length × 26 ft beam × 8 ft depth; ~306 GRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 306 GRT
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 24.38 m / 80 ft
  • Location: Approximately 14 miles off Michigan City, Indiana
  • Official Number: 12981
  • Original Owners: Capt. Selah Dustin (owner from Detroit), Master: Capt. James F. Snow at loss

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller-driven passenger and fruit boat.

Description

The J. Barber was a wooden propeller steamer built in 1856, primarily used for passenger and fruit transport. It was converted from a sidewheeler to a propeller-driven vessel between 1863 and 1866.

History

The vessel had a notable history of on-board fires, including a near-total destruction at Clarke’s Drydock in 1868, after which it was rebuilt. Previous incidents of fire occurred in 1854, 1856, and during its maiden voyage, which included multiple boiler-scuffle incidents.

Significant Incidents

  • Loss Date: July 19, 1871
  • Location: Lake Michigan, approximately 14 miles off Michigan City, Indiana
  • Voyage: Departed Benton Harbor or St. Joseph, bound for Chicago with fruit and passengers
  • Cause: Fire broke out near the boiler funnel, rapidly spreading and engulfing the vessel
  • Casualties: Five lives lost; 18–30 survivors rescued by steamers Corona and A.C. Van Raalte
  • Vessel Fate: Burned to the waterline and sank in about 80 feet of water

Final Disposition

The J. Barber was destroyed by fire during a routine voyage on Lake Michigan. Despite the swift rescue efforts by nearby steamers, five lives were lost. The wreck lies approximately 80 feet deep, roughly 14 miles off Michigan City.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the J. Barber is submerged at a depth of about 80 feet, making it accessible primarily to advanced divers. The condition of the wreck is not detailed in the sources.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-barber-us-12981″ title=”References & Links”]

The J. Barber, a Cleveland-built propeller steamer, met a tragic end due to fire on July 19, 1871. Its history of fire incidents and the loss of life during its final voyage highlight the dangers faced by maritime vessels of that 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.

(wooden propeller steamer, built 1856)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: J. Barber (also known as Joe Barber)
  • Official number: 12981
  • Built: 1856 by L. Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger and fruit boat
  • Dimensions: 125 ft length × 26 ft beam × 8 ft depth; ~306 GRT
  • Owner/Master: Capt. Selah Dustin (owner from Detroit), Master: Capt. James F. Snow at loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Incident & Loss

  • Loss Date: July 19, 1871
  • Location: Lake Michigan, approximately 14 miles off Michigan City, Indiana (Facebook, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Voyage: Departed Benton Harbor or St. Joseph (depending on source), bound for Chicago with fruit and passengers (Facebook).
  • Cause: Fire broke out near the boiler funnel; rapid spread engulfed the vessel (Links to the Past).
  • Casualties: Five lives lost; 18–30 survivors (sources vary) rescued by steamers Corona and A.C. Van Raalte (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Vessel Fate: Burned to the waterline and sank in about 80 ft of water (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Rescue & Rescue Effort

  • The steamers Corona and A.C. Van Raalte responded swiftly, rescuing nearly all passengers and crew (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Fatalities occurred prior to rescue; no specifics on individual identities are available in summarized sources.

Construction & Career Highlights

Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities

  • Crew & Passenger Details: Names and demographics likely found in August 1871 local newspapers (Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, Michigan City News).
  • Fire Origin Report: Likely traced to the funnel or boiler area. Fire marshal or shipyard assessment reports may exist.
  • Rescue Logs: Logs from Corona, A.C. Van Raalte, and U.S. Life-Saving Stations could provide survivor statements.
  • Insurance / Salvage Documents: Maritime insurance claims and legal filings may offer insights into vessel value and rebuild decisions.

Conclusion

The J. Barber, a Cleveland-built propeller steamer, was destroyed by fire during a routine voyage on Lake Michigan on July 19, 1871. Though swift rescues by nearby steamers saved most aboard, five lives were lost. The ill-fated vessel was no stranger to fire, enduring multiple incidents over 15 years before her final conflagration. Her wreck lies approximately 80 ft deep, roughly 14 miles off Michigan City.

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