Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Navagh
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Baker & Navagh shipyard, Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: ~128 × 26 × 12 ft (conflicting sources; see Notes)
- Registered Tonnage: 276 gross tons
- Location: Struck north of Twin River Point (near Two Rivers, Wisconsin)
- Official Number: 13304
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
Description
The James Navagh was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1857. It was primarily used for transporting cargo, including wheat, across the Great Lakes.
History
Constructed at the Baker & Navagh shipyard in Oswego, New York, the James Navagh served various owners throughout its operational life. It was known for its capacity to carry significant cargo loads.
Significant Incidents
- Encountered a severe storm while heavily laden with wheat.
- Struck a shoal north of Twin River Point, resulting in catastrophic hull damage.
- Breakage amidships caused the vessel to split in two.
- The stern section sank immediately, carrying the yawl boat with it. The cabin flooded rapidly.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss with no effort to salvage the hull. Its split sections sank separately; no remains were recovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is confirmed as a total loss, with no remains visible or recoverable. The site may be of interest for historical and archaeological studies.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-navagh-us-13304″ title=”References & Links”]
The James Navagh serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during late-fall storms. Its loss highlights the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels under severe weather conditions.
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.
Wooden Two‑Masted Schooner, Built 1857 – Lost October 30, 1868
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Navagh
- Official Number: 13304
- Built: 1857, Baker & Navagh shipyard, Oswego, New York
- Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Tonnage: 276 gross tons
- Dimensions: ~128 × 26 × 12 ft (conflicting sources; see Notes)
(manitouislandsarchives.org, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Cargo at Loss: approximately 15,045 bushels of wheat
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks) - Loss Date: October 30, 1868
- Route: Bound from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Oswego, New York
- Location: Struck north of Twin River Point (near Two Rivers, Wisconsin)
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Circumstances of Loss
- Encountered a severe storm while heavily laden with wheat.
- Struck a shoal north of Twin River Point, resulting in catastrophic hull damage.
- Breakage amidships caused the vessel to split in two.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - The stern section sank immediately, carrying the yawl boat with it. The cabin flooded rapidly.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Casualties & Rescue
- Crew at time of sinking: 9 individuals, including Captain John M. Griffin.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks) - Crew Outcome: Survived the initial wreck, clinging to the bowsprit overnight.
- The next morning, local residents rescued them using Mackinaw boats.
- Tragically, the cook succumbed to exposure after the incident.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Post‑Loss Details
- Rigging was salvaged post‑wreck and later incorporated into the schooner Louisa McDonald.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conflicting Specifications
- Some sources list the schooner as 128 × 26 × 12 ft, 345 gross tons—possible rebuild or misreport.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Wisconsin Shipwrecks site confirms 276 gt and provides precise incident details.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Disposition
- The vessel was declared a total loss with no effort to salvage the hull.
- Its split sections sank separately; no remains were recovered.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Significance & Scholarly Notes
- Reflects the immense strain on heavily laden wooden schooners during late-fall storms.
- The crew’s frozen rescue underscores extreme exposure risks faced by 19th-century mariners.
- Post‑wreck rig repurposing illustrates material salvage practices of the era.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1857, Oswego, NY |
| Type | Wooden two‑masted schooner |
| Tonnage | 276–345 gross tons |
| Cargo | ~15,000 bu wheat |
| Lost | Oct 30, 1868, north of Twin River Point |
| Cause | Storm-induced grounding and structural failure |
| Crew | 9—survived; 1 cook died from exposure |
| Wreck Condition | Broke in two, total loss; rigging salvaged |
Suggested Research Directions
- Examine milestone newspapers like Two Rivers Chronicle or Milwaukee Daily Sentinel for crew names and rescue accounts.
- Review customs records in Oswego and Milwaukee for cargo certification and departure logs.
- Trace the construction and reuse of rigging via builder’s records for Louisa McDonald.
- Compare registry entries (176–1868) for dimensional discrepancies.