Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.S. Crouse
- Type: Freight Steamer
- Year Built: 1898
- Builder: R.C. Brittain, Saugatuck, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 90 ft (27.4 m); Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m); Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 82 tons
- Location: Sleeping Bear Bay, near Glen Arbor, Michigan
- Official Number: 77313
- Original Owners: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.S. Crouse was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven freight steamer, colloquially referred to as a “rabbit”—a term used for small, nimble freight vessels operating on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1898 by R.C. Brittain in Saugatuck, Michigan, the J.S. Crouse measured 90 feet (27.4 meters) in length, with a beam of 17 feet (5.2 meters) and a depth of 8 feet (2.4 meters). With a gross tonnage of 82 and net tonnage of 72, she was designed for the transportation of miscellaneous freight across the Great Lakes. Her construction reflected the typical design of small freight steamers of the late 19th century, optimized for maneuverability and versatility in cargo transport.
History
The J.S. Crouse served as a freight steamer on Lake Michigan, primarily operating out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was employed in the transportation of various goods, including lumber and agricultural products, between ports along the lake. Her size and design made her well-suited for navigating the often challenging conditions of the Great Lakes, allowing her to access smaller ports and harbors that larger vessels could not.
On November 15, 1919, the J.S. Crouse encountered a severe gale while en route with a cargo of lumber and potatoes. The storm forced her ashore on the southwest side of Sleeping Bear Bay, near Glen Arbor, Michigan. While the crew survived the stranding, the vessel later caught fire and was destroyed. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but it resulted in the total loss of the vessel.
Significant Incidents
- November 15, 1919: The J.S. Crouse was forced ashore during a severe gale while carrying lumber and potatoes.
- Post-stranding: The vessel caught fire and was destroyed, with the cause of the fire remaining unclear.
Final Disposition
Following the fire, the remains of the J.S. Crouse were largely destroyed. However, some components were salvaged. Notably, her fore-and-aft compound steam engine and Scotch boiler with two fireboxes were repurposed and installed in the wooden steambarge M.H. Stuart, built in 1921 by the Wolter & O’Boyle Shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The boiler of the J.S. Crouse was located near Glen Haven’s historical canning pier. Its exact discovery date is not specified, but it has been documented and photographed in recent years.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-s-crouse-us-77313″ title=”References & Links”]
The J.S. Crouse exemplifies the challenges faced by small freight steamers operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her loss in 1919 underscores the perils of maritime navigation during that era, particularly the threats posed by sudden and severe storms. While the vessel was destroyed, the repurposing of her engine and boiler in another ship reflects the resourcefulness of the maritime community and the practice of salvaging valuable components from lost vessels.
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: J.S. Crouse
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 77313
- Date Built: 1898
- Builder: R.C. Brittain, Saugatuck, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 90 ft (27.4 m); Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m); Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 82 tons
- Net Tonnage: 72 tons
- Date Lost: November 15, 1919
- Place of Loss: Sleeping Bear Bay, near Glen Arbor, Michigan
- Lake: Lake Michigan
- Type of Loss: Storm
- Cargo: Lumber and potatoes
- Loss of Life: None
- Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin(libguides.fau.edu, Reddit, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, baillod.com, WDIV)
Vessel Type
The J.S. Crouse was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven freight steamer, colloquially referred to as a “rabbit”—a term used for small, nimble freight vessels operating on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1898 by R.C. Brittain in Saugatuck, Michigan, the J.S. Crouse measured 90 feet (27.4 meters) in length, with a beam of 17 feet (5.2 meters) and a depth of 8 feet (2.4 meters). With a gross tonnage of 82 and net tonnage of 72, she was designed for the transportation of miscellaneous freight across the Great Lakes. Her construction reflected the typical design of small freight steamers of the late 19th century, optimized for maneuverability and versatility in cargo transport.
History
The J.S. Crouse served as a freight steamer on Lake Michigan, primarily operating out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was employed in the transportation of various goods, including lumber and agricultural products, between ports along the lake. Her size and design made her well-suited for navigating the often challenging conditions of the Great Lakes, allowing her to access smaller ports and harbors that larger vessels could not.
On November 15, 1919, the J.S. Crouse encountered a severe gale while en route with a cargo of lumber and potatoes. The storm forced her ashore on the southwest side of Sleeping Bear Bay, near Glen Arbor, Michigan. While the crew survived the stranding, the vessel later caught fire and was destroyed. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but it resulted in the total loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
Following the fire, the remains of the J.S. Crouse were largely destroyed. However, some components were salvaged. Notably, her fore-and-aft compound steam engine and Scotch boiler with two fireboxes were repurposed and installed in the wooden steambarge M.H. Stuart, built in 1921 by the Wolter & O’Boyle Shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin .(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Located By & Date Found
The boiler of the J.S. Crouse was located near Glen Haven’s historical canning pier. Its exact discovery date is not specified, but it has been documented and photographed in recent years .(Facebook)
Notmars & Advisories
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (Notmars) or advisories related to the wreck of the J.S. Crouse. However, as with all shipwreck sites, divers and visitors should exercise caution and adhere to local regulations when exploring or studying the area.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The J.S. Crouse exemplifies the challenges faced by small freight steamers operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her loss in 1919 underscores the perils of maritime navigation during that era, particularly the threats posed by sudden and severe storms. While the vessel was destroyed, the repurposing of her engine and boiler in another ship reflects the resourcefulness of the maritime community and the practice of salvaging valuable components from lost vessels.
j-s-crouse-us-77313 1919-11-15 11:16:00