Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. H. Magruder
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Herring, Toussaint, Ohio
- Dimensions: 115 × 23 × 7 ft; 137 gross / 130 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 137 gross / 130 net tons
- Location: A few miles south of Sturgeon Point
- Official Number: 13745
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden scow-schooner.
Description
Description
The J. H. Magruder was primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, particularly lumber. It was built in 1869 and registered under the U.S. official number 13745.
History
History
The vessel was constructed in Herring, Toussaint, Ohio, and served in the coastal trade of Lake Huron. It was involved in transporting lumber until its loss in 1895.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On September 17, 1895, during a gale with winds reaching approximately 50 mph, the Magruder sprang a significant leak.
- To prevent sinking, the crew intentionally ran the vessel ashore, grounding it on the coast.
- Once aground, the scow broke up under wave action and was declared a total loss.
- All crew members survived and were rescued by the local U.S. Lifesaving Service.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The wreck debris lies near Sturgeon Point in Lake Huron. The exact site remains undocumented but is identified within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary wreck records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is recorded in the Thunder Bay Sanctuary database, marking it as a potential underwater archaeological site worthy of further exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-h-magruder-us-13745″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The J. H. Magruder serves as a reminder of the late-season storm hazards faced by vessels in Lake Huron’s coastal trade. Its loss and the successful rescue of the crew highlight the importance of maritime safety services.
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.
Identification & Build
- Type & Rig: Wooden scow-schooner
- Built: 1869 at Herring, Toussaint, Ohio
- Dimensions: 115 × 23 × 7 ft; 137 gross / 130 net tons
- Registration: U.S., official number 13745
- Trade: Bulk cargo—primarily lumber
Final Voyage & Loss (September 17, 1895)
- Date: September 17, 1895
- Location: A few miles south of Sturgeon Point, Lake Huron
- Incident: In a gale with ~50 mph winds, the Magruder sprang a significant leak. To save the crew from likely sinking, she was intentionally run ashore, grounding her on the coast. Once aground, the scow broke up under wave action and was declared a total loss.
- Crew: All survived—rescued by the local U.S. Lifesaving Service (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Condition & Site
- The wreck debris lies near Sturgeon Point, Lake Huron.
- Exact site remains undocumented, but it is identified within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary wreck records (nmsthunderbay.blob.core.windows.net).
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Demonstrates late-season storm hazards for working scows in Huron’s coastal trade.
- Crew rescue underscores the role of U.S. Lifesaving Service in ensuring maritime safety.
- Its inclusion in Thunder Bay’s shipwreck database marks it as a potential underwater archaeological site worthy of remote or dive reconnaissance.
Research & Survey Recommendations
| Objective | Action Step |
|---|---|
| Archival Press Records | Search Alcona County Review and Thompsonville Chronicle (Sept 1895) for loss and rescue accounts. |
| Lifesaving Service Logs | Request station logs (Point Au Sable or Sturgeon Point) for details of the rescue operation. |
| Site Survey & Mapping | Use side-scan sonar or magnetometer in shallow waters off Sturgeon Point; follow up with diver documentation if located. |
| Comparative Wreck Analysis | Compare remains with other scow wrecks in Thunder Bay to establish construction details and loss dynamics. |
Summary Profile
- Name: J. H. Magruder
- Built: 1869, Herring & Toussaint, OH
- Lost: Sept 17, 1895 — sprung a leak in gale, intentionally grounded, broke up off Sturgeon Point
- Outcome: Total loss; crew rescued
- Wreck Site: Near Sturgeon Point; recorded in Thunder Bay Sanctuary database