Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Duncan
- Type: Wooden Propeller, Bulk Freight
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: A. J. Johnson, Fort Howard (Green Bay), WI
- Dimensions: 225 ft (68.6 m) x 38 ft (11.6 m) x 17 ft (5.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,268 Gross Tons; 997 Net Tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6.1 m / 20 ft
- Location: Just off the docks at Harrisville, Michigan
- Official Number: 76960
- Original Owners: H.J. Pauley of Milwaukee
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The John Duncan was a wooden-hulled bulk freight steamer, designed for carrying heavy cargoes such as iron ore, coal, and other bulk materials across the Great Lakes.
Built in 1891 at Fort Howard, Wisconsin, the vessel was a large and well-constructed wooden freighter, built during a time when steel ships were beginning to dominate Great Lakes commerce. Despite the shift to steel construction, wooden steamers like the John Duncan remained competitive for two more decades due to their lower construction costs and familiarity to shipbuilders and crews.
Description
At 225 feet (68.6 m) in length, the John Duncan was one of the larger wooden freighters still in operation by the early 20th century. She was primarily engaged in the iron ore trade, transporting loads from mining regions around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan to steel mills along the lower Great Lakes.
She was owned by H.J. Pauley of Milwaukee and captained by George Minar at the time of her loss.
History
On August 27, 1903, the John Duncan was carrying iron ore on Lake Huron when she encountered a violent gale near Harrisville, Michigan. As the storm intensified, the vessel began taking on water, developing a severe leak that threatened her buoyancy. With the ship flooding rapidly, Captain Minar turned toward shore in a desperate attempt to beach the vessel and save the crew.
Despite the effort, she sank in 20 feet (6.1 meters) of water, just short of reaching safety. The United States Lifesaving Service responded swiftly, successfully rescuing the entire crew. The John Duncan was initially declared a total loss, but was later salvaged and recovered.
Significant Incidents
- 1913: Sold to Canadian interests (Registered as C# 133821).
- 1916: Completely rebuilt and renamed Howard W.
- 1919: Wrecked again, this time on the St. Lawrence River.
- 1920: Recovered, but declared a constructive total loss and permanently retired from service.
Final Disposition
Despite being written off, the John Duncan was raised, repaired, and returned to service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Status: Wreck remains unconfirmed near Harrisville, Michigan. The relatively shallow water (20 feet / 6.1 meters) where she sank suggests some remains may still exist under layers of sand and silt.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-duncan-us-76960″ title=”References & Links”]
The John Duncan exemplifies the end of the wooden freighter era on the Great Lakes. Though built at a time when steel vessels were taking over, she remained economically viable for over two decades.
Her 1903 sinking was not the end, as she was raised, rebuilt, and operated for another 16 years before being permanently lost in 1919. This wreck represents both the resilience of wooden freighters and the challenges faced by bulk carriers navigating the unpredictable Great Lakes storms.
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.
The Wreck of the John Duncan (1903)
Identification & Site Information
- Name: John Duncan
- Former Names: None (later renamed Howard W. in 1916)
- Official Number: 76960
- Type at Loss: Wooden Propeller, Bulk Freight
- Built: 1891, A. J. Johnson, Fort Howard (Green Bay), WI
- Specifications: 225 ft (68.6 m) x 38 ft (11.6 m) x 17 ft (5.2 m) | 1,268 Gross Tons | 997 Net Tons
- Date of Loss: August 27, 1903
- Place of Loss: Just off the docks at Harrisville, Michigan
- Lake: Huron
- Type of Loss: Storm
- Loss of Life: None
- Cargo: Iron Ore
Vessel Type
The John Duncan was a wooden-hulled bulk freight steamer, designed for carrying heavy cargoes such as iron ore, coal, and other bulk materials across the Great Lakes.
Built in 1891 at Fort Howard, Wisconsin, the vessel was a large and well-constructed wooden freighter, built during a time when steel ships were beginning to dominate Great Lakes commerce. Despite the shift to steel construction, wooden steamers like the John Duncan remained competitive for two more decades due to their lower construction costs and familiarity to shipbuilders and crews.
Description
At 225 feet (68.6 m) in length, the John Duncan was one of the larger wooden freighters still in operation by the early 20th century. She was primarily engaged in the iron ore trade, transporting loads from mining regions around Lake Superior and Lake Michigan to steel mills along the lower Great Lakes.
She was owned by H.J. Pauley of Milwaukee and captained by George Minar at the time of her loss.
Final Disposition
On August 27, 1903, the John Duncan was carrying iron ore on Lake Huron when she encountered a violent gale near Harrisville, Michigan. As the storm intensified, the vessel began taking on water, developing a severe leak that threatened her buoyancy. With the ship flooding rapidly, Captain Minar turned toward shore in a desperate attempt to beach the vessel and save the crew.
Despite the effort, she sank in 20 feet (6.1 meters) of water, just short of reaching safety. The United States Lifesaving Service responded swiftly, successfully rescuing the entire crew. The John Duncan was initially declared a total loss, but was later salvaged and recovered.
Rebuild & Later Fate
Despite being written off, the John Duncan was raised, repaired, and returned to service.
- 1913: Sold to Canadian interests (Registered as C# 133821).
- 1916: Completely rebuilt and renamed Howard W.
- 1919: Wrecked again, this time on the St. Lawrence River.
- 1920: Recovered, but declared a constructive total loss and permanently retired from service.
Located By & Date Found
- Status: Wreck remains unconfirmed near Harrisville, Michigan.
- The relatively shallow water (20 feet / 6.1 meters) where she sank suggests some remains may still exist under layers of sand and silt.
NOTMARs & Advisories
- No active navigation warnings exist for the wreck site.
- Shallow wreckage may still pose a hazard to recreational boats in the area.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
- Ontario Marine Heritage Database
Conclusion
The John Duncan exemplifies the end of the wooden freighter era on the Great Lakes. Though built at a time when steel vessels were taking over, she remained economically viable for over two decades.
Her 1903 sinking was not the end, as she was raised, rebuilt, and operated for another 16 years before being permanently lost in 1919. This wreck represents both the resilience of wooden freighters and the challenges faced by bulk carriers navigating the unpredictable Great Lakes storms.
Keywords & Categories
Keywords: John Duncan shipwreck, Howard W., Great Lakes freighters, wooden bulk steamers, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Harrisville maritime history, iron ore transport, shipwreck salvage, 1903 storm losses.
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, Wooden bulk freighters, Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th-century maritime disasters, Recovered shipwrecks.