Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.P. Decoudres
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Unknown; last reported en route from Charlevoix, MI to Milwaukee, WI
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: 75530
- Original Owners: Presumed local merchant or firm
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.P. Decoudres was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in 1873. Though specific specifications are lost to history, her nearly decade-long service suggests she was of typical design for Great Lakes trade — robustly built for regional cargo transport.
Description
The J.P. Decoudres was primarily engaged in transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, shingles, or other wood products vital to the 19th-century economy. Schooners like her formed the logistical backbone of Great Lakes trade routes connecting remote timber ports to major urban markets like Milwaukee and Chicago.
History
Operating out of Charlevoix, Michigan, the J.P. Decoudres played a significant role in the regional economy, facilitating the movement of essential goods. Her service history reflects the importance of schooners in the development of trade networks across the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- On 3 June 1882, during a run from Charlevoix to Milwaukee, she encountered a storm and was reportedly stranded and wrecked. No surviving incident report clearly defines the exact site or the state of the wreck.
Final Disposition
On 3 June 1882, the J.P. Decoudres was stranded and wrecked in heavy weather. Casualty reports are missing from official documentation, and there is no record of the wreck having been found or surveyed. Her final position and structure remain unconfirmed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Currently, there are no records of the wreck being located or documented. The site remains unconfirmed, and no sonar surveys, diver documentation, or photographic records exist for this vessel. It is a candidate for archival reconstruction and acoustic survey if site proximity is narrowed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-p-decoudres-us-75530″ title=”References & Links”]
The J.P. Decoudres serves as a reminder of the many vessels lost in the Great Lakes, with her story highlighting the challenges faced by mariners in the 19th century. Continued research and exploration may one day uncover her final resting place.
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
Description
The J.P. DECOUDRES was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in 1873. Though specific specifications are lost to history, her nearly decade-long service suggests she was of typical design for Great Lakes trade — robustly built for regional cargo transport.History
Primarily operating out of Charlevoix, Michigan, the J.P. DECOUDRES likely carried bulk cargo such as lumber, shingles, or other wood products vital to the 19th-century economy. Schooners like her formed the logistical backbone of Great Lakes trade routes connecting remote timber ports to major urban markets like Milwaukee and Chicago.Final Dispositions
On 3 June 1882, during a run from Charlevoix to Milwaukee, she encountered a storm and was reportedly stranded and wrecked. No surviving incident report clearly defines the exact site or the state of the wreck. Casualty reports are also missing from official documentation.Located By & Date Found
There is no record of the wreck having been found or surveyed. Her final position and structure remain unconfirmed.Notmars & Advisories
None noted for this vessel. No official warnings or site designations have been issued in U.S. or Canadian Notices to Mariners.Dive Information
Access: Not accessible Entry Point: N/A Conditions: Unknown Depth Range: Unknown Emergency Contacts: USCG Lake Michigan Sector Permits: Required if site is discovered Dive Support: Not applicableCrew & Casualty Memorials
No records currently available regarding the crew roster or survivor reports. Recommended sources: local Charlevoix newspapers (June 1882), Great Lakes insurance rosters.Documented Statements & Extracts
“June 3, 1882 — The schooner J.P. Decoudres was stranded and wrecked in heavy weather. She was bound from Charlevoix to Milwaukee with a cargo of wood.” — Marine Disasters, Milwaukee Archives
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
U.S. Registry Number 75530. Enrolled at Charlevoix, Michigan. Ownership records incomplete. Insurance records presumed held under regional merchant marine policies.Site Documentation & Imaging
None currently available. No sonar surveys, diver documentation, or photographic records exist for this vessel. Candidate for archival reconstruction and acoustic survey if site proximity is narrowed.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Rex Archive – J.P. DECOUDRES
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Lake Michigan Records
- Marine Disasters – Milwaukee Archive
References
- Great Lakes Rex – J.P. DECOUDRES Entry
- LinkstothePast.com – Milwaukee Marine Archive
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Lower Lake Michigan Vessel Records