Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.M. Spaulding
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: Manhattan, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~89 ft × 22 ft × 6 ft; ~72 grt / 68 nrt
- Registered Tonnage: 72 grt / 68 nrt
- Location: Lake Huron shoreline (exact site not documented)
- Official Number: 75796
- Original Owners: Great Lakes-based (specific owner not listed)
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, originally built from the hull of the 1837 steamer Saginaw/Rhode Island.
Description
The J.M. Spaulding was a wooden two-masted schooner constructed in 1875 at Manhattan, Ohio. It was reconfigured from the hull of an earlier steamer, showcasing 19th-century shipbuilding practices that emphasized recycling and reuse.
History
The vessel served in the Great Lakes region, primarily transporting goods. At the time of its loss, it was owned by an unidentified entity based in the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- Date: November 28, 1905
- Incident: Stranded during a storm and subsequently pounded to pieces near the Lake Huron shoreline.
- Crew: No loss of life reported; the crew of four escaped using the vessel’s yawl.
Final Disposition
The J.M. Spaulding was declared a total loss, with its hull wrecked onshore and effectively destroyed by wave action. No official registry or salvage notes have been found in online databases.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is likely located along the exposed Lake Huron shoreline, possibly near northern Michigan or Ontario. The condition is shore-wrecked, with fragments potentially lying in the surf zone or exposed during seasonal lake-level fluctuations. No known modern surveys or dive reports have been undertaken.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-m-spaulding-us-75796″ title=”References & Links”]
The J.M. Spaulding represents a significant piece of maritime history, illustrating the challenges faced by vessels during stormy conditions in the Great Lakes. Its loss during a period of extensive storm-related incidents highlights the risks of navigation in this region.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.M. Spaulding
- Official Number: 75796 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner (reconfigured from hull of the 1837 steamer Saginaw/Rhode Island) built at Manhattan, Ohio, 1875 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Dimensions: ~89 ft × 22 ft × 6 ft; ~72 grt / 68 nrt (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: November 28, 1905
- Incident: Stranded during a storm, pounded to pieces near Lake Huron shoreline.
- Crew: No loss of life reported; crew of four escaped using the vessel’s yawl.
- Ownership: At time of loss, vessel was Great Lakes-based (specific owner not listed in primary sources).
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss, with hull wrecked onshore and effectively destroyed by wave action.
- No official registry or salvage notes found in online databases.
Wreck Condition & Site
- Location: Likely along exposed Lake Huron shoreline—possibly near northern Michigan or Ontario (exact site not documented).
- Condition: Shore-wrecked; fragments may still lie in surf zone or get exposed during seasonal lake-level fluctuations. No known modern surveys or dive reports have been undertaken.
Historical Context
- Built from salvaged steamer hull—a testament to 19th-century recycling practices in Great Lakes shipbuilding.
- Stranding with intact yawl allowed crew survival—a notable example of emergency preparedness.
- Occurred during a period of extensive storm-related losses (e.g., Edgar F. Luckenbach, Western Reserve, etc.) suggesting harsh November conditions on Huron.
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
| Focus | Action |
|---|---|
| Exact Location | Review regional newspapers (e.g., St. Clair News, Port Huron Times) from late Nov–Dec 1905 for stranding reports. |
| Weather Analysis | Use historical meteorological data to pinpoint storm track and potential shore area. |
| Archival Logs | Examine U.S./Canadian lifesaving and harbor authority logs for rescue or wreck reports. |
| Shoreline Survey | Conduct a beach reconnaissance during low water to detect surviving timbers or fasteners. |
| Registry & Ownership | Access enrollment and build documents at Detroit and Manhattan, Ohio archives for owner and crew details. |
Summary Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | J.M. Spaulding |
| Built | 1875, Manhattan, Ohio (from earlier steamer hull) |
| Type | Wooden schooner, 89′ × 22′ × 6′, 72 grt |
| Loss | Nov 28, 1905 – stranded ashore and destroyed |
| Crew | All survived (4), evacuated in yawl |
| Wreck Site | Lake Huron shoreline (undetermined location) |
| Remains | Likely dispersed in surf zone; unrecorded |
Significance
- Embodies late‑19th-century maritime reuse practices—constructed from an earlier steamer hull.
- Crew escape in yawl under storm conditions demonstrates small-craft survival strategies.
- A Sail-to-steam transition era vessel, lost in major late-autumn storms—valuable for studies of regional maritime risk and disaster response.