Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.G. King (previously James G. King)
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1836
- Builder: Jones, Dunkirk, New York
- Dimensions: 84 ft × 23 ft × 9 ft (25.6 m × 7.0 m × 2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: approximately 154 tons
- Location: Near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: None officially recorded
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden, two-masted schooner, typical medium-sized lake trader.
Description
A compact and robust schooner for her era, the J.G. King was utilized for regional trade across Lake Michigan. Built in New York in 1836, she carried bulk and general cargo, possibly timber or grain, relying on sail propulsion.
History
Originally known as James G. King, this vessel was registered under her shortened name by 1848. On a routine voyage following a late-October gale in 1856, she was caught near the Kalamazoo River entrance. The storm drove her ashore, and she was declared a total loss. Thankfully, the crew survived, though detailed accounts of survivors or salvage are absent.
Significant Incidents
- Lost in October 1856 during a storm near the Kalamazoo River entrance.
- No fatalities reported among the crew.
Final Disposition
Rendered a total loss after being driven ashore during a storm. The wreck likely broke apart along the shoreline or in shallow nearshore water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No records indicate the wreck’s discovery or archaeological survey. Wreckage site remains unverified.
Resources & Links
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The loss of J.G. King is emblematic of early Lake Michigan trading schooners vulnerable to seasonal gales. Driven ashore during a late October storm in 1856, she ended her service unceremoniously near Saugatuck. While no lives were lost, the absence of remaining wreckage or surveys leaves her story as a cautionary footnote in maritime history—reminding us of the many vessels lost along Great Lakes coasts without a trace.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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