Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John L. Shaw
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: H. M. Shaw, Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 205 ft (62.48 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 1,750 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 39 m / 128 ft
- Location: Approximately 7 miles offshore from Harrisville, Michigan
- Official Number: 1885
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The John L. Shaw was a wooden three-masted schooner, notable for its size at 205 feet, which was significantly large for a schooner of its era.
Description
Built in 1885 by H. M. Shaw in Bay City, Michigan, the John L. Shaw was primarily used for transporting cargo, including coal. On its final voyage, it was carrying approximately 1,750 tons of coal when it sank.
History
The John L. Shaw was towed by the steamer John F. Eddy when it encountered a sudden blinding snowstorm on November 13, 1894. The tow line parted, leaving the schooner adrift. The crew of eight abandoned ship and was rescued by a passing steamer, with no fatalities reported. The vessel sank shortly thereafter.
Significant Incidents
- Final voyage on November 13, 1894, during a blinding snowstorm.
- Tow line parted, leading to the vessel being adrift and taking on water.
- Crew abandoned ship and was rescued; no fatalities occurred.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the John L. Shaw was discovered in July 2007 by a local fisherman and later confirmed by NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The hull is upright on the lakebed, with the starboard side collapsed but retaining remnants of mast stumps and structural timbers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located in approximately 128 feet of water and is remarkably well-preserved due to the cold freshwater environment. The site offers opportunities for remote imaging and photogrammetry, as well as dive-based research.
Resources & Links
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The John L. Shaw serves as an important archaeological site, providing insights into late 19th-century shipbuilding and maritime technology, as well as the transition from sail to steam power on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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