Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.N. Carter
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: W. Redmond, Picton, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 112 ft (34.1 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 187 tons
- Location: Mississagi Strait, northwest of Manitoulin Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: C72962
- Original Owners: James N. Carter, N. Dyment
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.N. Carter was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain and lumber.
Description
Constructed in 1875 by W. Redmond in Picton, Ontario, the J.N. Carter measured 112 feet (34.1 meters) in length, with a beam of 25 feet (7.6 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). The vessel had a gross and net tonnage of 187 tons. Built with a wooden hull, she was designed for the grain and lumber trade on Lake Huron and Kingston, Ontario.
History
Throughout her nearly two-decade career, the J.N. Carter experienced several incidents:
- September 1880: While in tow of the tug Pacific, the schooner was struck by the government steamer Haze at Lime Kiln Crossing on the Detroit River, resulting in significant structural damage.
- November 15, 1883: The vessel ran aground two miles south of Kincardine Pier, Ontario, during a storm. The steamer Erie Belle attempted a rescue, but its boiler exploded, leading to fatalities. The J.N. Carter remained stranded over the winter and was freed the following summer with assistance from the tug Bob Hackett.
- September 1894: The schooner ran aground on a reef in the Mississagi Strait, later named “Carter Rock” in her memory. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and she was declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- September 1880: Struck by the steamer Haze, causing structural damage.
- November 15, 1883: Ran aground; rescue attempt by Erie Belle ended in boiler explosion.
- September 1894: Grounded on Carter Rock; declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
Abandoned as a total loss in the Mississagi Strait in September 1894.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, the exact location of the J.N. Carter’s wreck has not been confirmed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-n-carter-c-72962″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The J.N. Carter’s history reflects the challenges faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite multiple incidents, the vessel contributed to the grain and lumber trade, vital to the region’s economy. The naming of “Carter Rock” serves as a lasting reminder of the schooner’s presence and the perils of maritime navigation in the area.
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 Variants: J.N. Carter, J.S. Carter
- Official Number: C72962
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Built: 1875 by W. Redmond, Picton, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 112 ft (34.1 m), Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m), Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Gross/Net Tonnage: 187 tons
- Hull Material: Wood
- Original Owner: James N. Carter, Picton, Ontario
- Later Owner: N. Dyment, Barrie, Ontario
- Date Lost: September 1894
- Location: Mississagi Strait, northwest of Manitoulin Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Reef Name: “Carter Rock” (named after the schooner)
- Depth: Not specified (likely shallow, given the grounding location)
Vessel Type
The J.N. Carter was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain and lumber.
Description
Constructed in 1875 by W. Redmond in Picton, Ontario, the J.N. Carter measured 112 feet (34.1 meters) in length, with a beam of 25 feet (7.6 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). The vessel had a gross and net tonnage of 187 tons. Built with a wooden hull, she was designed for the grain and lumber trade on Lake Huron and Kingston, Ontario.
History
Throughout her nearly two-decade career, the J.N. Carter experienced several incidents:
- September 1880: While in tow of the tug Pacific, the schooner was struck by the government steamer Haze at Lime Kiln Crossing on the Detroit River, resulting in significant structural damage.
- November 15, 1883: The vessel ran aground two miles south of Kincardine Pier, Ontario, during a storm. The steamer Erie Belle attempted a rescue, but its boiler exploded, leading to fatalities. The J.N. Carter remained stranded over the winter and was freed the following summer with assistance from the tug Bob Hackett.
- September 1894: The schooner ran aground on a reef in the Mississagi Strait, later named “Carter Rock” in her memory. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and she was declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
Abandoned as a total loss in the Mississagi Strait in September 1894.
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, the exact location of the J.N. Carter’s wreck has not been confirmed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no specific Notices to Mariners or advisories related to the J.N. Carter wreck site.
Resources & Links
- Naval Marine Archive: J.N. Carter
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: J.N. Carter
- Wikipedia: Erie Belle
Conclusion
The J.N. Carter’s history reflects the challenges faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite multiple incidents, the vessel contributed to the grain and lumber trade, vital to the region’s economy. The naming of “Carter Rock” serves as a lasting reminder of the schooner’s presence and the perils of maritime navigation in the area.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: J.N. Carter, schooner, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Mississagi Strait, Erie Belle, 19th-century maritime history
- Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Canadian schooners, Maritime incidents in 1894
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
- Mississagi Strait: A narrow passage between Manitoulin Island and Cockburn Island in Lake Huron, known for its challenging navigation conditions.
- Erie Belle: A steamer involved in a rescue attempt of the J.N. Carter in 1883, which ended in a boiler explosion.