Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John C. Liken
- Type: Wooden propeller vessel—package & bulk freight
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: George Carpenter
- Dimensions: 90 ft (27.43 m); Beam 21 ft; Depth of hold 5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: ~79 gross / 58 net tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 91.44 m / 300 ft
- Location: Hammond Bay, near the Straits of Mackinac
- Official Number: 75507
- Original Owners: Reportedly purchased by Capt. Doville just before her loss
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller vessel designed for package and bulk freight.
Description
The John C. Liken was built in 1873 by George Carpenter at Sebewaing, Michigan. The vessel measured approximately 90 feet in length, with a beam of 21 feet and a depth of 5 feet. It had a registered tonnage of approximately 79 gross tons and 58 net tons, primarily operating in mixed freight runs, including wood lath and general goods, from Michigan ports.
History
The John C. Liken was engaged in mixed freight trade, particularly in the transportation of lumber and general goods. The vessel was known to operate in the challenging waters of Lake Huron, particularly around Cheboygan and Hammond Bay, which were notorious for rough spring conditions and navigational difficulties.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: May 2, 1890
- Route: From Cheboygan, Michigan, bound for Toledo, Ohio, intending to enter her regular freight trade.
- Incident: Caught in a violent gale with low visibility in Hammond Bay, near the Straits of Mackinac.
- The vessel foundered in approximately 50 fathoms (about 300 feet) of water. Her crew escaped via her small boat and reached shore with great difficulty.
- No loss of life was reported; all eight aboard survived.
Final Disposition
The John C. Liken sank during a storm on May 2, 1890, in deep water off Hammond Bay. The vessel was officially lost, and her registration was surrendered shortly thereafter.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the John C. Liken lies in deep water, making it accessible primarily to experienced divers. The conditions in the area can be challenging due to weather and visibility factors.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-c-liken-us-75507″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the John C. Liken highlights the dangers of navigation in the Straits of Mackinac region during late winter and early spring. The successful evacuation of the crew underscores the resilience of those operating small freighters during this era.
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 1873; lost May 2, 1890)
Wooden propeller vessel—package & bulk freight
Vessel Overview
- Official Number: 75507
- Construction: Built in 1873 by George Carpenter at Sebewaing, Michigan
- Dimensions & Registry: Approximately 90 ft long × 21 ft beam × 5 ft depth, ~79 gross / 58 net tons
- Trade: Mixed freight runs—wood lath and general goods—operating out of Michigan ports
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Loss Event & Final Voyage
- Loss Date: May 2, 1890
- Route: From Cheboygan, Michigan bound for Toledo, Ohio, intending to enter her regular freight trade
- Incident: Caught in a violent gale with low visibility in Hammond Bay, near the Straits of Mackinac
- The vessel foundered in ~50 fathoms (~300 ft) of water. Her crew escaped via her small boat and reached shore with great difficulty
- No loss of life was reported; all eight aboard survived
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Nautilus Live)
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | John C. Liken |
| Official No. | 75507 |
| Built | 1873, Sebewaing, Peninsula, MI |
| Vessel Type | Wooden propeller (package and bulk freight) |
| Dimensions / Tonnage | ~90×21×5 ft; ~79 gt / 58 nt |
| Loss Date | May 2, 1890 |
| Loss Location | Hammond Bay / Straits of Mackinac (Lake Huron) |
| Cargo | Wood lath and general freight |
| Cause of Loss | Foundered in spring gale, low visibility |
| Crew & Casualties | 8 aboard, all survived |
| Final Status | Vessel lost; sank in deep water; document surrendered |
Historical Context & Significance
- John C. Liken exemplifies the mid‑late‑19th-century propeller‐driven small freighters operating lumber and general trade on Lake Huron near Cheboygan and Hammond Bay—areas known for rough spring conditions and navigational difficulty
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook, The Washington Post) - The loss underscores how vessels often attempted voyages before ice-out was complete; sudden wind squalls combined with fog frequently led to foundering in deep water
- The successful, though harrowing, evacuation by the crew highlights both the dangers and resilience of small freighter operations during this era
Archival & Research Recommendations
To build out a fuller profile, consider:
- Keweenaw or Cheboygan newspaper archives (May 1890) for first-hand crew accounts and loss notices
- Insurance / underwriter records under Official No. 75507—may reveal cargo valuation and loss claims
- Harbor or port log entries from Cheboygan or Hammond Bay authority records, noting vessel departures and losses
- Company ship logs or directories documenting ownership under Capt. Doville (who reportedly purchased the vessel just before her loss)
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The wooden propeller freighter John C. Liken (Official No. 75507) sank during a storm on May 2, 1890, in deep water off Hammond Bay. Laden with wood lath and general freight, she foundered in low visibility during a gale, but her crew all survived. The vessel was officially lost and her registration surrendered shortly thereafter. This loss reflects the dangers of late-winter and early-spring navigation in the Straits of Mackinac region.
Let me know if you’d like assistance obtaining period newspapers, marine insurance archives, or port logs to further explore the history of John C. Liken.
john-c-liken-us-75507 1890-05-02 10:22:00