Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John F. Porter
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: circa 1840
- Builder: Lake Michigan region
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Approximately 3 miles off North Point, north of Milwaukee
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner.
Description
The John F. Porter was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner built around 1840, primarily operating on Lake Michigan.
History
Built circa 1840 in the Lake Michigan region, the John F. Porter was engaged in transporting cargo, including lumber camp provisions, across the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: Reported October 20, 1855 (some records cite October 22).
- Location: Approximately 3 miles off North Point, north of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan.
- Weather Conditions: A strong storm was underway on October 20, 1855.
Final Disposition
While en route to deliver lumber camp supplies, the schooner capsized and foundered in the storm. All crew survived, escaping in the vessel’s lifeboat and reaching shore safely. After capsizing, the hull drifted and later washed ashore on the Milwaukee beach.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the John F. Porter is confirmed, with its hull having washed ashore after the incident.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-f-porter-c1840″ title=”References & Links”]
The John F. Porter remains a notable shipwreck in Lake Michigan history, illustrating the challenges faced by mariners in the mid-19th century.
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.
(Wooden Schooner, built circa 1840, wrecked October 20 or 22, 1855)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Built: ~1840, Lake Michigan region (“built 1840” per Wisconsin records) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Michigan
- Cargo at time of loss: Lumber camp provisions (linkstothepast.com)
Incident Overview
- Loss Date: Reported October 20, 1855 (some records cite October 22) (linkstothepast.com)
- Location: Approximately 3 miles off North Point (north of Milwaukee), Lake Michigan (baillod.com)
- Weather Conditions: A strong storm was underway on October 20, 1855 (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Incident Details & Aftermath
- Event: While en route to deliver lumber camp supplies, the schooner capsized and foundered in the storm (baillod.com).
- Crew Fate: All crew survived, escaped in the vessel’s lifeboat, and reached shore safely (baillod.com, linkstothepast.com).
- Wreck Condition: After capsizing, the hull drifted and later washed ashore on the Milwaukee beach (linkstothepast.com).
Summary
The John F. Porter was a mid‑19th-century wooden schooner built around 1840, operating on Lake Michigan. In late October 1855, she capsized during a severe storm roughly 3 miles north of Milwaukee (North Point), carrying lumber camp supplies. Her crew escaped by boat and reached shore unharmed. Her hull later stranded on the beach.
Suggested Further Research
To strengthen this profile and fill missing details:
| Research Focus | Rationale | Source Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Exact build info & dimensions | Confirm vessel specifics | HCGL enrollment files, shipyard records from 1840 |
| Precise date & time | Resolve the October 20 vs. 22 discrepancy | Milwaukee newspaper archives (Oct 1855 editions) |
| Cargo manifest & ship’s log | Document voyage details and ownership | Port of origin records (likely Chicago or Green Bay) |
| Beach findings & salvage | Local documentation of wreck arrival | Milwaukee harbor logs, newspaper beach reports |
| Insurance claims | Insight into valuation and recovery efforts | Marine insurance ledgers from 1855 |