Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Lillie
- Type: Scow-Schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: John Lillie at Chicago (Gross Point)
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~96 tons (net register), 82 nominal tons
- Location: Entering Grand Haven harbor, Lake Michigan, Michigan, USA
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: 13872
- Original Owners: Unknown beyond builder information
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Scow-schooner, a type of vessel characterized by a flat bottom and shallow draft, designed for hauling bulk goods along the Great Lakes.
Description
The John Lillie was built as a small cargo vessel intended for transporting bulk goods or general freight. Her design was typical of mid-19th century scow-schooners, making her suitable for coastwise work.
History
There are no records of prior incidents or major events associated with the John Lillie beyond the wreck incident on November 10, 1870. Crew names, ownership beyond the builder, and detailed manifest records appear to be unrecorded in standard datasets.
Significant Incidents
- Struck a breakwater while entering Grand Haven harbor during a storm, resulting in the vessel being torn to pieces and declared a total loss.
- No casualties reported; sources do not mention any loss of life.
Final Disposition
The John Lillie was destroyed upon impact with the harbor structure during a gale. She was declared a total loss immediately after the incident. There appears to be no formal inquiry documentation referenced in available secondary records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No recorded discovery of a physical wreck site or detailed undertow documentation exists in the sources consulted. Given the description of the wreck, it likely dispersed or was salvaged opportunistically at the time.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-lillie-us-13872″ title=”References & Links”]
The scow-schooner John Lillie, launched in 1847, met her end on November 10, 1870, when she struck a breakwater while entering Grand Haven harbor during a storm. She was recorded as a total loss, with no reported fatalities. Further research in local archives may provide additional information on crew and ownership.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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