Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John A. Styninger
- Type: Propeller-driven steel or iron freighter
- Year Built: 1913
- Builder: P. Trudo yard, Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Docked on Lake Huron (Huron region)
- Official Number: 211667
- Original Owners: Dell Madden of Harbor Beach, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Propeller-driven steel or iron freighter
Description
The John A. Styninger was a small steel freighter constructed in 1913 at the P. Trudo yard in Bay City, Michigan. Owned by Dell Madden, she primarily operated in the Lake Huron region.
History
During her service, the John A. Styninger was primarily engaged in freight transport within the Huron port region. Her operational history is marked by her sudden loss in 1915.
Significant Incidents
- On 12 November 1915, while moored at a dock on Lake Huron, the John A. Styninger was rammed by the brand-new passenger steamer City of Detroit III, resulting in catastrophic structural damage.
- The vessel sank rapidly alongside the dock and was declared a total loss.
- No loss of life was reported in the incident.
- The collision indicated possible navigational or clearance miscalculation.
Final Disposition
The John A. Styninger was declared a total loss after being rammed and sinking alongside the dock. There is no known modern rediscovery of the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck of the John A. Styninger has not been rediscovered, and its current condition remains unknown.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-a-styninger-us-211667″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the John A. Styninger serves as a reminder of the dangers of navigation on the Great Lakes. Despite her sinking, there were no casualties, and the vessel remains a part of maritime history.
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 1913 – destroyed 12 November 1915)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: John A. Styninger (occasionally misrecorded as Ina Roe—not to be confused)
- Official Registry Number: 211667
- Type: Propeller-driven steel or iron freighter
- Build Info: Constructed in 1913 at Bay City, Michigan by the P. Trudo yard
- Owner: Dell Madden of Harbor Beach, Michigan
- Service Area: Lake Huron (operated primarily in Huron port region)
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- While moored at a dock on Lake Huron, John A. Styninger was rammed by the brand-new passenger steamer City of Detroit III, resulting in catastrophic structural damage
- She sank rapidly alongside the dock and was declared a total loss
- No loss of life was reported
- The vessel was struck by a significantly larger passenger steamer, indicating possible navigational or clearance miscalculation
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | John A. Styninger |
| Official No. | 211667 |
| Built | 1913, Bay City, MI |
| Owner | Dell Madden, Harbor Beach, MI |
| Vessel Type | Propeller-steel/iron freighter |
| Loss Date | 12 November 1915 |
| Loss Location | Docked on Lake Huron (Huron region) |
| Cause of Loss | Rammed and sunk by steamer City of Detroit III |
| Casualties | None |
| Outcome | Burned, sank alongside dock; total loss |
| Modern Rediscovery | No known wreck rediscovery |
Key Sources & Context
The primary source for this incident is the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry, which provides vessel registry details and circumstances of her sinking:
“Tied to her dock, she was rammed and sunk by the brand-new, giant passenger steamer City of Detroit III. Crushed and sunk, she was a total loss. Owned by Dell Madden of Harbor Beach, MI.”
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, en.wikipedia.org)
Research Gaps & Follow-up Opportunities
While the incident is documented, further archival clarity could be gained by:
- Confirming the exact location and nature of the docking site (e.g. Huron, MI, or nearby harbor facility)
- Locating mast or superstructure design documents from the P. Trudo yard (Bay City shipyard archives)
- Reviewing ports or salvage correspondence, possibly held at Huron or regional records, to assess cleanup or salvage attempts
- Finding press reports in local newspapers (e.g., Huron Daily Tribune or Bay City Times) for eyewitness accounts or photos
- Identifying City of Detroit III‘s logbooks or marine accident inquiry records to confirm navigational circumstances
Conclusion
John A. Styninger was a small steel freighter launched in 1913 and owned by Dell Madden. On 12 November 1915, she was rammed by the passenger steamer City of Detroit III while tied at dock, causing rapid sinking. Although she sank alongside the dock, there were no casualties. The vessel was declared a total loss, and no modern archaeological rediscovery has been recorded.
john-a-styninger-us-211667 1915-11-12 16:50:00