Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John H. Drake
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Likely around Buffalo or Oswego
- Dimensions: 80-100 ft (24-30 m) L × 20-25 ft (6-8 m) B × ~8 ft (2.4 m) D
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near harbor in northern Lake Huron or Michigan's shore
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, typical dimensions ~80-100 ft L × 20-25 ft B × ~8 ft D.
Description
The John H. Drake was constructed in 1855, primarily for freight and lumber runs. It was a wooden vessel typical of its time, designed to navigate the Great Lakes.
History
On September 28, 1872, while hauling lumber, the John H. Drake encountered a fierce northwest gale as it attempted to enter a harbor. The vessel was unable to maintain its position and was driven ashore, resulting in catastrophic hull damage and its declaration as a total wreck. Fortunately, all crew members survived the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Event: The John H. Drake attempted to enter a harbor amid a fierce northwest gale.
- Outcome: The vessel was driven ashore and suffered catastrophic hull damage.
- Crew: All crew survived; no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
The John H. Drake was declared a total wreck after being stranded in shallow water. The exact details of its final disposition remain unclear, and further research is needed to ascertain the fate of the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and accessibility may vary depending on the specific location of the grounding.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-h-drake-1855″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research is encouraged to uncover more details about the John H. Drake, including its official registry, precise grounding location, and eyewitness accounts of the incident.
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, 1855–1872)
Vessel Overview
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner, typical dimensions ~80–100 ft L × 20–25 ft B × ~8 ft D
- Built: 1855 (likely around Buffalo or Oswego), wooden construction for freight and lumber runs
Incident (September 28, 1872)
- Event: While hauling lumber, the John H. Drake attempted to enter a harbor (possibly in northern Lake Huron or on Michigan’s shore) amid a fierce northwest gale late September 1872
- Outcome: Unable to maintain position, she was driven ashore and stranded in shallow water, suffering catastrophic hull damage and declared a total wreck
- Crew: All crew survived — no casualties reported in archives
Summary
On September 28, 1872, the lumber‑laden schooner John H. Drake was overwhelmed by a powerful northwest storm while approaching harbor. Anchoring or maneuvering failed against the gale, and she was beached near shore, destroying her hull. Despite the loss of the vessel, her crew escaped unharmed.
Further Research Avenues
| Research Focus | Value and Source Direction |
|---|---|
| Official registry details | To confirm build, tonnage, and official number—check HCGL vessels register |
| Precise grounding location | Identify likely harbor—examine newspaper shipping notices in Port Huron, Cheboygan, or Saginaw late Sept 1872 |
| Crew & eyewitness reports | Provide firsthand accounts or names—via shipping circulars, local newspapers |
| Storm conditions | Validate gale severity—through NOAA historical data or regional weather bulletins |
| Salvage or court logs | Check harbor or court archives for wreck removal, valuation, or salvage notes |
Next Steps
- Search 1872 newspaper archives (e.g., Port Huron Times, Cheboygan Tribune) for incident coverage and crew recollections
- Request HCGL enrollment files to secure full technical and ownership details
- Examine NOAA historic weather logs for storm data around September 1872
- Look into harbor master or court records for salvage efforts