Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

J. S. Seaverns (John P. Ward)

Explore the well-preserved wreck of the J. S. Seaverns, a wooden steam barge that sank in 1884, offering a unique glimpse into 19th-century maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: J. S. Seaverns
  • Type: wooden propeller-driven passenger/package freighter (steam barge)
  • Year Built: 1857
  • Builder: J. L. Wolverton
  • Dimensions: 130 ft (39.6 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: approx. 173 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 18.3 m / 60 ft
  • Location: near Michipicoten Island, northern Lake Superior
  • Official Number: US 76152

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Originally a sidewheel tug, later reconstructed with her hull undergirding a steam-propeller vessel. Designed to carry mixed cargo (grain, machinery, provisions) and passengers along Lake Superior. Wooden-hulled with steam propulsion and one propeller—adapted for package freight service.

Description

The J. S. Seaverns was a 130-foot wooden propeller-driven passenger/package freighter, originally built as a sidewheel tug. It was designed for mixed cargo transport and passenger service on Lake Superior, showcasing mid-19th-century shipbuilding techniques.

History

On May 12, 1884, the J. S. Seaverns was bound from Chicago to Port Arthur, Ontario, carrying miscellaneous cargo, including pork, potatoes, and machinery for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The vessel struck a rock while backing away from the harbor landing at Michipicoten, grounded, and was subsequently pulled free by a tug. However, it foundered and sank upright in approximately 10 fathoms of water. All crew and passengers, totaling around 60, were rescued without casualties.

Significant Incidents

  • May 12, 1884: Struck a rock while backing away from the harbor landing at Michipicoten, leading to grounding and eventual sinking.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the J. S. Seaverns was rediscovered in the summer of 2016 by a dive team using sonar and ROV/video. The site is exceptionally well-preserved, with lower cabins intact and artifacts like dishes and chairs remaining in place. The wreck is settled evenly on the bottom, and the cold, low-mussel environment of Lake Superior has prevented significant biological degradation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is in an exceptionally well-preserved state, with lower cabins intact and artifacts still in situ. The site remains unpublished to protect its archaeological integrity.

Resources & Links

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The J. S. Seaverns represents a remarkable convergence of mid-century wooden shipbuilding, adaptive reuse, and steam-era maritime commerce. Her well-preserved remains offer a unique archaeological time capsule, with potential for further study to yield insights into Great Lakes shipping history and 19th-century naval architecture.

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

  • Original Name / Official Number: John P. Ward, sidewheel tug built 1857 in Detroit by J. L. Wolverton; U.S. registry #12791. Converted into the J. S. Seaverns in 1880—new registry US 76152 (FKA Kiteboarding Forums).
  • Vessel Type: 130‑ft wooden propeller-driven passenger/package freighter (steam barge), approx. 173 tons (Wikipedia).
  • Final Location: Stranded near Michipicoten Island, northern Lake Superior (Michipicoten Harbor), settling upright in approx. 10 fathoms (~60 ft) of lake water (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Description

Originally a sidewheel tug, later reconstructed with her hull undergirding a steam-propeller vessel. Designed to carry mixed cargo (grain, machinery, provisions) and passengers along Lake Superior. Wooden-hulled with steam propulsion and one propeller—adapted for package freight service (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Cargo & Voyage at Loss

On May 12, 1884, bound from Chicago to Port Arthur, Ontario, carrying miscellaneous cargo, including pork, potatoes, and machinery, intended for construction and transport needs associated with the Canadian Pacific Railway (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Cause of Loss

Struck a rock while “backing away from the harbor landing” at Michipicoten. She grounded and was pulled free by a tug, but subsequently foundered and sank upright in about 10 fathoms of water. All crew and passengers (approx. 60 total) were rescued without casualties (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Wreck Location & Condition

  • Discovery: Rediscovered in summer 2016 by a dive team led by Dan Fountain and Ken Merryman, using sonar and ROV/video.
  • Current Condition: Exceptionally well-preserved — lower cabins intact, dishes still on shelves, chairs and anchor remain in place; settled evenly on the bottom (Smithsonian Magazine).
  • Protection: Site remains unpublished to protect archaeological integrity; Lake Superior’s cold, low-mussel environment has prevented significant biological degradation (Michigan Public).

Historical Significance & Research Notes

  • The wreck provides a rare snapshot of 1880s passenger/cargo maritime technology, including steam-propeller outfitting and everyday shipboard life.
  • Built atop the reused hull of the John P. Ward, the vessel embodies mid-19th-century adaptive reuse in Great Lakes shipbuilding (FKA Kiteboarding Forums, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Well-preserved galley and accommodations are of significant archaeological interest.

Sources & Archival Links

Research Gaps & Next Steps

  • Builder & Registry: Confirm official registry #76152 & details in Maritime History of the Great Lakes database.
  • Cargo Documentation: Locate manifests or CPR procurement logs referencing pork, potatoes, machinery loaded in spring 1884.
  • Survivor Accounts: Historical newspapers (e.g., Chicago Inter Ocean, Duluth News Tribune) may yield firsthand stories (e.g., from L.S. Upson) (FKA Kiteboarding Forums, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • Archaeological Survey: Formal site documentation (3D photogrammetry, artifact cataloging) under provincial protection.
  • Conservation Measures: Liaison with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary or Parks Canada for long-term site stewardship.

Conclusion

The J. S. Seaverns represents a remarkable convergence of mid-century wooden shipbuilding, adaptive reuse, and steam-era maritime commerce. Her well-preserved remains—still containing structural and domestic features—offer a unique archaeological time capsule. Further study and monitoring could yield invaluable insights into Great Lakes shipping history and 19th‑century naval architecture.

Keywords: Michipicoten Harbor • wooden steam barge • adaptive reuse John P. Ward • 1884 grounding • cargo/passenger mixed freighter • Lake Superior maritime heritage

j-s-seaverns-john-p-ward 1884-05-22 11:05:00