James Wood (1846)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: James Wood
• Type: Wooden Propeller Steamer (Passenger & Package Freight)
• Year Built: 1846
• Builder: Dexter, New York
• Dimensions: 124 ft (37.8 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 286 tons
• Location: Near Ashtabula, Ohio
• Official Number: None
• Original Owners: S.M. Johnson, Chicago, Illinois

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Steamer (Passenger & Package Freight)

Description

The James Wood was built in 1846 in Dexter, New York, a town known for early Great Lakes shipbuilding. Designed as a propeller-driven wooden steamer, it was built to carry passengers and package freight across the Great Lakes. Screw-propelled steamers like the James Wood were becoming more common in the 1840s, replacing earlier sidewheel steamers due to greater efficiency and reliability.

History

The ship was owned by S.M. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, and likely operated on trade routes between Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Ontario.

Significant Incidents

• Final Voyage & Loss (September 12, 1852)
  • On September 12, 1852, the James Wood encountered a severe storm near Ashtabula, Ohio.
  • The vessel stranded and was declared a total loss.
• Details on crew survival and casualties are unknown, as early shipwreck records often lacked detailed reports.
• Remains Still Visible Decades Later By 1871, nearly 20 years after the wreck, parts of the ship were still visible from far out on Lake Erie, suggesting that large portions of the hull remained intact in shallow water. It is unclear whether any salvage attempts were made, but the wreck was never refloated or repaired.

Final Disposition

The James Wood is a largely undocumented shipwreck, despite reports that its remains were still visible decades after its sinking. Unlike many well-known Great Lakes wrecks, this vessel has not been extensively studied or located in modern times.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Given that the remains were visible as late as 1871, some wreckage may still exist beneath sediment or scattered along the lakebed. The ship’s wooden hull likely deteriorated over time, but iron fastenings or machinery components may remain buried. No modern surveys or recoveries have been reported, making the James Wood a potential target for future underwater exploration.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-wood-1846″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The James Wood was a wooden screw steamer built in 1846, operating as a passenger and package freight vessel. It stranded near Ashtabula, Ohio, during a storm on September 12, 1852, and was declared a total loss. Though its remains were still visible as late as 1871, no modern surveys have documented the wreck, leaving it a forgotten piece of Great Lakes maritime history.