Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. H. Davis
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Huron, grounded ashore
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A sail-powered wooden schooner, likely configured as a barge for bulk cargo.
Description
Constructed of timber (pine/oak), modest size (exact dimensions not yet located), single-decked with a center hold. No machinery—relied on sails. Standard Great Lakes cargo vessel of the late 19th century.
History
Operated in Lake Huron trade routes, likely hauling bulk materials—common cargo included lumber, coal, or grain. Specific ownership and crew manifests require further archival investigation.
Significant Incidents
- Cause: Caught unexpectedly in a northerly squall while at anchor.
- Event: Dragged her anchors and was carried ashore. Once grounded, wave action pounded her relentlessly, destroying the vessel.
- Casualties: None—no loss of life reported.
- Value: Recorded combined value of vessel and cargo estimated at approximately US $1,000 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
- The wreck occurred on a nearshore beach site; the hulk was destroyed by wave action and either salvaged or disintegrated.
- No modern site survey records exist; remains, if any, are likely fragmented and buried under sediment or dispersed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely unrecognizable due to wave action and sedimentation. No remains have been documented in recent surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-h-davis-1887″ title=”References & Links”]
The J. H. Davis illustrates the era’s vulnerability even at anchor: a sudden squall sheared her drift anchor chain, driving her ashore where wave battering sealed her fate. Though she didn’t claim lives, her loss reflects the dangers of late-season Great Lakes weather. The minimal wreckage likely disappeared quickly, but further archival work could recover names of crew, owners, and exact specifications.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →