Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Platt
- Type: Wooden schooner (two-masted, single-deck)
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: George Goble
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 341 gross tons (as of 1868)
- Location: Lake Michigan — stranding near White Shoals off Beaver Island and later wrecking on South Fox Island
- Coordinates: string
- Official Number: string
- Original Owners: M. Goble & D. G. Ford
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The James Platt is classified as a wooden schooner, specifically a two-masted, single-deck vessel designed for freight and sail cargo.
Description
Built in 1863 by George Goble in Oswego, New York, the James Platt was a wooden schooner with a registered tonnage of approximately 341 gross tons as of 1868. The vessel was primarily used for trade and transportation across the Great Lakes.
History
The James Platt was enrolled in Oswego, NY, under its original owners, M. Goble and D. G. Ford. Throughout its operational history from 1863 to 1881, the vessel underwent multiple repairs and ownership changes, particularly between Green Bay and Chicago. Notably, it grounded at North Manitou Island in December 1874.
Significant Incidents
- 1863: Enrolled in Oswego, NY, under original owners M. Goble & D. G. Ford.
- 1865–1877: Multiple repairs; grounded at North Manitou Island in December 1874; ownership transferred over the years.
- 1881, November 18: Departed Bay City, MI; struck by a severe blizzard while crossing Lake Michigan and grounded on White Shoals, Beaver Island.
- 1881, November: Subsequent surveys indicate she broke up and was abandoned near South Fox Island; confirmed as a total loss.
Final Disposition
The James Platt was wrecked and stranded during a storm in November 1881. After grounding on White Shoals, it ultimately broke up and was abandoned near South Fox Island, leading to its removal from shipping registers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the James Platt is believed to be near South Fox Island. Due to the structural breakup and remote location, significant wreck remains are unlikely. The site has not been surveyed or documented archaeologically.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-platt-1863″ title=”References & Links”]
The James Platt serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by mid-19th-century lumber and trade schooners, particularly during severe weather conditions on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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