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