Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J. P. March
- Type: Wooden 3-mast schooner (formerly bark), later converted to a scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Crozier in Vermilion, Ohio
- Dimensions: 146 × 30 ft; 355 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 355 tons
- Location: Good Harbor, near Sleeping Bear Point, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 13482
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden 3-mast schooner (formerly bark), later converted to a scow-schooner.
Description
The J. P. March was built in 1864 by Crozier in Vermilion, Ohio. It was a wooden vessel that underwent a conversion from a bark to a scow-schooner, which may have impacted its seaworthiness.
History
The J. P. March served primarily in the coal trade on the Great Lakes. Its construction as a wooden vessel made it vulnerable to the harsh conditions of Lake Michigan, particularly during the fall storm season.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: October 30, 1878
- Location: Good Harbor, near Sleeping Bear Point, Lake Michigan
- Cargo: Coal
- Incident: Foundered during a storm, taking on water rapidly.
- Casualties: 4 of her 8 crew members were lost; the remaining four survived.
- Outcome: Declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the J. P. March is located in relatively shallow waters of Lake Michigan, making it susceptible to wave damage during late-season storms. The likely remains include broken timbers scattered near shore, but no formal archaeological survey has been conducted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is prone to damage from waves and storms, and the condition of the wreck remains uncertain due to the lack of formal surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-p-march-john-p-march-us-13482″ title=”References & Links”]
The J. P. March serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by wooden vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Its loss highlights the vulnerabilities of maritime transport in the 19th century.
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.
Scow‑Schooner J. P. March (also John P. March) — Built 1864; Wrecked October 30, 1878
Identification & Build
- Name: J. P. March (also referred to as John P. March)
- Built: 1864 by Crozier in Vermilion, Ohio
- Official Number: 13482
- Type: Wooden 3-mast schooner (formerly bark), later converted to a scow-schooner
- Dimensions: 146 × 30 ft; 355 tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss – October 30, 1878
- Date: October 30, 1878
- Location: Good Harbor, near Sleeping Bear Point, Lake Michigan
- Cargo: Coal
- Incident: She foundered during a storm, taking on water rapidly.
- Casualties: Tragically, 4 of her 8 crew members were lost; the remaining four survived.
- Outcome: Declared a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Condition & Site
- The wreck site—identified as Good Harbor, near Sleeping Bear Point—is in relatively shallow Lake Michigan waters, prone to wave damage in late-season storms.
- Likely remains include broken timbers scattered near shore; no formal archaeological survey has been conducted.
Historical Significance
- The J. P. March illustrates the vulnerability of aging wooden schooners carrying heavy cargo like coal during fall storms.
- Her partial conversion to a scow-schooner may have affected seaworthiness.
- The significant loss of life underscores the perilous nature of routine cargo voyages in the Great Lakes during the nineteenth century.
Research & Survey Recommendations
| Focus Area | Suggested Actions |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Search Traverse City Record-Eagle, Chicago Tribune, and regional press (Nov 1878) for storm, rescue, and loss notices. |
| Lifesaving Service Logs | Request U.S. Life-Saving Service records from nearby stations (e.g., Glen Haven, Empire) for accounts of rescue or recovery. |
| Wreck Site Survey | Conduct side-scan sonar and magnetometer surveys near Good Harbor to locate submerged timber remains. |
| Crew & Ownership Research | Access enrollment documentation and crew lists via official number 13,482 to identify master at loss and owners/operators. |
| Comparative Study | Compare to other coal schooner wrecks of the era to assess design vulnerabilities and maritime trade risks. |
Summary
- Name: J. P. March (O–No. 13,482)
- Built: 1864, Vermilion, OH; wooden 3-mast schooner, later scow-schooner
- Lost: Oct 30, 1878 – foundered in storm off Good Harbor, MI
- Cargo: Coal
- Casualties: 4 of 8 crew lost
- Significance: Highlights weather and design vulnerabilities in Great Lakes coal transport