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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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