Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Cowan
- Type: Fishing Tug
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: South Frankfort, Michigan
- Dimensions: 51 ft (15.5 m); Beam 13 ft (4.0 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 23 GRT
- Location: Platte Bay, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not listed in available registries
- Original Owners: Not specified in available records
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven fishing tug
Description
The John Cowan was a wooden propeller-driven fishing tug constructed in 1887 in South Frankfort, Michigan. Measuring 51 feet (15.5 meters) in length with a beam of 13 feet (4.0 meters) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 meters), she had a gross tonnage of 23. Designed for commercial fishing operations, the vessel operated in the waters of Lake Michigan.
History
Throughout her brief service life, the John Cowan was engaged in commercial fishing activities on Lake Michigan. On August 1, 1888, while her entire crew was off in the yawl lifting a pound net, the tug caught fire from unknown causes. Before they could return to fight the fire, the vessel was engulfed in flames. The incident occurred in Platte Bay, a region known for its fishing activities. Despite the sudden outbreak of fire, the crew managed to evacuate safely, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. The vessel, however, was consumed by the flames and declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- August 1, 1888: The John Cowan caught fire while the crew was off the vessel, leading to its total loss.
Final Disposition
The John Cowan was destroyed by fire in Platte Bay on August 1, 1888, and was considered a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no records indicating that the wreck of the John Cowan has been located.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-cowan-1887″ title=”References & Links”]
The John Cowan serves as a historical example of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden vessels operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Despite the lack of detailed records about her service and the circumstances of her loss, the incident underscores the hazards of maritime operations during that era, particularly the threat of onboard fires.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Cowan
- Official Number: Not listed in available registries
- Date Built: 1887
- Builder: South Frankfort, Michigan
- Dimensions: 51 ft (15.5 m) length × 13 ft (4.0 m) beam × 7 ft (2.1 m) depth
- Gross Tonnage: 23 GRT
- Date Lost: August 1, 1888
- Place of Loss: Platte Bay, Lake Michigan
- Cause of Loss: Fire of unknown origin
- Cargo: Fishing gear
- Crew: No casualties reported
- Ownership: Not specified in available records(greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, e-familyhistory.com, mpl.org, m.facebook.com)
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven fishing tug
Description
The John Cowan was a wooden propeller-driven fishing tug constructed in 1887 in South Frankfort, Michigan. Measuring 51 feet (15.5 meters) in length with a beam of 13 feet (4.0 meters) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 meters), she had a gross tonnage of 23. Designed for commercial fishing operations, the vessel operated in the waters of Lake Michigan.
History
Throughout her brief service life, the John Cowan was engaged in commercial fishing activities on Lake Michigan. On August 1, 1888, while her entire crew was off in the yawl lifting a pound net, the tug caught fire from unknown causes. Before they could return to fight the fire, the vessel was engulfed in flames. The incident occurred in Platte Bay, a region known for its fishing activities. Despite the sudden outbreak of fire, the crew managed to evacuate safely, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. The vessel, however, was consumed by the flames and declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The John Cowan was destroyed by fire in Platte Bay on August 1, 1888, and was considered a total loss.
Located By & Date Found
There are no records indicating that the wreck of the John Cowan has been located.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no known navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck of the John Cowan.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – C: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/c/
- List of shipwrecks in August 1888 – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shipwrecks_in_August_1888(greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org)
Conclusion
The John Cowan serves as a historical example of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden vessels operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Despite the lack of detailed records about her service and the circumstances of her loss, the incident underscores the hazards of maritime operations during that era, particularly the threat of onboard fires.
Keywords: John Cowan, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1888 fire, wooden fishing tug, Platte Bay
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century maritime incidents, Great Lakes fishing vessels
Glossary Terms:
- Fishing Tug: A small, powerful vessel used for commercial fishing operations, often equipped with nets and other fishing gear.
- Pound Net: A type of stationary fishing net anchored to the bottom of a body of water, used to catch fish.
- Yawl: A small boat carried by a larger vessel, used for various purposes including transporting crew or cargo.