Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Mowatt
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Wolf & Davidson in Milwaukee
- Dimensions: 166 × 33 × 13 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 523 gross / 497 net tons
- Location: Alpena Harbor, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 76518
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden schooner-barge, often towed by steamers.
Description
The James Mowatt was a wooden schooner-barge built in 1884 by Wolf & Davidson in Milwaukee. It measured 166 feet in length, 33 feet in beam, and had a depth of 13 feet. The vessel had a registered tonnage of 523 gross and 497 net tons, primarily operating on lumber routes in Lake Huron.
History
The James Mowatt was operational from its construction in 1884 until its sinking in 1919. It was primarily based in Milwaukee and was active in transporting lumber across Lake Huron.
Significant Incidents
- Sinking Event – October 10, 1919: The James Mowatt sank in Alpena Harbor after colliding with a stone jetty in heavy fog or low visibility. The collision resulted in a total loss of the vessel.
- Crew Safety: All crew members were safely rescued, and there were no fatalities reported.
Final Disposition
The James Mowatt was confirmed as a total loss following the collision. It is not located within any National Marine Sanctuary, including the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary or the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented in the available sources. Accessibility for divers may vary based on local regulations and conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-mowatt-us-76518″ title=”References & Links”]
The James Mowatt remains a significant historical wreck in Lake Huron, with its sinking providing insight into maritime navigation challenges of the early 20th century. Further research into newspaper archives may yield additional details about the incident.
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.
Built 1884 – Sunk October 10, 1919
Vessel Overview & Loss Details
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge, often towed by steamers
- Built: 1884 by Wolf & Davidson in Milwaukee
- Specifications: 166 × 33 × 13 ft; 523 gross / 497 net tons
- Official #: 76518
- Operational Base: Milwaukee; active on Lake Huron lumber routes
Sinking Event – October 10, 1919
- Location: Alpena harbor, Lake Huron
- Cause: In heavy fog or low visibility, James Mowatt rammed a stone jetty while under tow; the collision caused her to sink, becoming a total loss
- Crew: All crew were safely rescued—no fatalities
- Details Source: WordPress entry confirms the collision in harbor on October 10 and total loss, citing Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook, Links to the Past); local marine incident summary confirms ram into jetty and sinking in Alpena’s harbor (Links to the Past)
Verification Links
- Baillod (Swayze File): James Mowatt – Swayze database
- WordPress: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – James Mowatt
Sanctuary / Preserve Status
- Not within any National Marine Sanctuary (e.g., Thunder Bay NMS, Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast).
- Located in Alpena, outside the boundaries of designated sanctuary regions.
Newspaper Research Guidance
Recommended search terms for Newspapers.com or archives:
- Alpena schooner Mowatt 1919 jetty sunk
- James Mowatt Alpena harbor collision October 1919
- schooner-barge sunk Alpena Oct 10 1919
Suggested publications and dates to check:
- Alpena Argus / Alpena News – Oct 11–15, 1919
- Detroit Free Press / Chicago Tribune – Oct 1919 maritime briefs
- Port Huron Times – likely mentions for Great Lakes shipping incidents
Summary
- The James Mowatt sank in Alpena Harbor on October 10, 1919, after striking a jetty.
- There were no casualties.
- Full verification and press coverage await newspaper archive search using the terms and sources above.