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