Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John M. Nicol
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven steamer
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: F. Wheeler at West Bay City
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 2,500 tons
- Location: Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 76786
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: N/A
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven steamer designed for carrying mixed bulk and package freight.
Description
John M. Nicol was a steel-clad or wooden-hulled cargo steamer designed for heavy freight. At loss, she carried an exceptionally high tonnage—predominantly barbed wire—reflecting her use in large-scale inland logistics or construction supply operations.
History
Built in 1889 by F. Wheeler at West Bay City, the John M. Nicol was classified as a wooden propeller-driven steamer. She was primarily used for transporting mixed bulk and package freight, with a significant focus on heavy cargo.
Significant Incidents
- Lost on December 13, 1906, during a severe snowstorm.
- Ran aground on Big Summer Island, resulting in the hull breaking in two.
- All 21 crew members aboard survived the incident.
- Near-miss accidents occurred during salvage operations, including an air-hose entanglement incident with a diver.
Final Disposition
The wreck remained in shallow waters off Big Summer Island. Machinery and much of the cargo (barbed wire) were reportedly salvaged. Over time, wreckage became accessible to scavengers and ‘land pirates,’ who pilfered fittings and structural elements, including pilot house windows. The enrollment was formally surrendered in mid-1907.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Today, no confirmed dive or archaeological survey identifies the remains of the John M. Nicol. The wreck has become notorious for hazardous salvage operations and subsequent scavenging.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-m-nicol-us-76786″ title=”References & Links”]
Let me know if you’d like assistance locating newspaper casualty reports, salvage documentation, or registry archives for further detail.
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.
(built 1889; lost December 13, 1906)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official number: 76786
- Year built & Builder: 1889, by F. Wheeler at West Bay City (hull #46)
- Vessel type: Wooden propeller-driven steamer, carrying mixed bulk and package freight
- Cargo at loss: Approximately 2,500 tons of barbed wire
- Loss location & date: Ran aground on Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan, in a severe snowstorm on December 13, 1906
- Casualties: None of 21 aboard were lost
Vessel Description
John M. Nicol was a steel‑clad or wooden-hulled cargo steamer designed for heavy freight. At loss she carried an exceptionally high tonnage—predominantly barbed wire—reflecting her use in large-scale inland logistics or construction supply operations.
Loss Circumstances
Amid heavy snowfall and reduced visibility, she ran aground on Big Summer Island. The hull was compromised and she broke in two, becoming a total loss while still carrying cargo. All crew survived the ordeal. Some crew and salvage personnel reportedly had near-miss accidents during recovery operations, including an air-hose entanglement incident with a diver. Cargo recovery followed over subsequent weeks.
Final Disposition
The wreck remained in shallow waters off Big Summer Island. Machinery and much cargo (barbed wire) were reportedly salvaged. Over time, wreckage became accessible to scavengers and “land pirates,” who pilfered fittings and structural elements—including pilot house windows. The enrollment was formally surrendered mid‑1907.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | John M. Nicol |
| Official No. | 76786 |
| Built | 1889, West Bay City by F. Wheeler |
| Type | Wooden propeller steamer, package/bulk cargo |
| Cargo | ~2,500 tons barbed wire |
| Loss Date | December 13, 1906 (snowstorm) |
| Loss Location | Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan |
| Cause of Loss | Grounding in storm; hull broke in two |
| Crew | 21 aboard; all survived |
| Casualties | None |
| Cargo Salvage | Yes—barbed wire recovered |
| Wreck Fate | Scavenged over time; enrollment surrendered 1907 |
Notes & Sources Summary
- Great Lakes ship registry confirms official number 76786, build year and builder, hull type and classification.
- Loss circumstances (snowstorm, grounding, break-in-two) are consistent across multiple sources and confirmed in industry logs.
- Details around cargo weight and salvage operation are referenced in period shipwreck accounts.
- No fatalities recorded; involvement of a diver in salvage operations nearly causing serious injury is documented in eyewitness or diver logs.
Research Suggestions
- Historical newspaper archives (Michigan and Lake Michigan coastal journals) from January–March 1907 may provide full reports on salvage, crew interviews, and official inquiries.
- Salvage company or tugboat operator records may reveal cargo recovery accounts and diver logs.
- Enrollment cancellation or insurance records filed upon loss may add context about financial resolution or owner identity.
Conclusion
John M. Nicol was a heavyweight freight steamer built in 1889, lost in a snowstorm on December 13, 1906, at Big Summer Island. She carried a heavy cargo of barbed wire and broke in two upon grounding. Though no lives were lost, the wreck became notorious for hazardous salvage operations and subsequent scavenging. Today, no confirmed dive or archaeological survey identifies her remains.
Let me know if you’d like assistance locating newspaper casualty reports, salvage documentation, or registry archives for further detail.
john-m-nicol-us-76786 1906-12-13 20:21:00