Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Stewart
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1850
- Builder: E.B. Ward, Newport, Michigan
- Dimensions: 139 × 19 × 8 ft; 191 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 191 tons
- Location: Port Huron, Michigan
- Official Number: 53 063
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge, originally constructed as a sidewheel steamer.
Description
Originally constructed as a sidewheel steamer in 1850, John Stewart was later converted into a schooner-barge focused on bulk freight work. Her structure measured 139 × 19 × 8 ft—a typical size for cargo barges of the mid-19th century.
History
On March 12, 1874, while moored at her dock in Port Huron, a fire—likely originating in the galley or engine area—engulfed the vessel. The blaze consumed the wooden hull, and she burned completely to a total loss. Thankfully, no lives were lost.
Significant Incidents
- Fire onboard leading to total loss.
Final Disposition
- The hull was destroyed at her mooring and later removed to eliminate a navigation hazard.
- The remains were scrapped or disposed of under direction from local authorities.
- Official documentation lists her as “lost” in the 1874 Merchant Vessels registry.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is no longer present as the remains were scrapped after the fire incident.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-stewart-us-53063″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the John Stewart highlights the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels to onboard fires, particularly those repurposed from steamers to barges during the transitional era of Great Lakes shipping.
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‑Barge, lost March 12, 1874
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Stewart
- Official Number: 53 063
- Built: 1850, E.B. Ward, Newport, Michigan
- Type: Wooden schooner‑barge (formerly a sidewheel steamer)
- Dimensions: 139 × 19 × 8 ft; 191 tons (turn0search2)
- Date of Loss: March 12, 1874
- Location: Port Huron, Michigan, Lake Huron
- Cargo: None
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel History & Conversion
Originally constructed as a sidewheel steamer in 1850, John Stewart was later converted into a schooner‑barge focused on bulk freight work. Her structure measured 139 × 19 × 8 ft—a typical size for cargo barges of the mid-19th century.
Circumstances of Loss
On March 12, 1874, while moored at her dock in Port Huron, a fire—likely originating in the galley or engine area—engulfed the vessel. The blaze consumed the wooden hull, and she burned completely to a total loss. Thankfully, no lives were lost.
Final Disposition
- The hull was destroyed at her mooring and later removed to eliminate a navigation hazard.
- The remains were scrapped or disposed of under direction from local authorities.
- Official documentation lists her as “lost” in the 1874 Merchant Vessels registry.
Significance
- Demonstrates the vulnerability of wooden work barges to onboard fires, especially after being repurposed from steamer to barge.
- Highlights the transitional era of Great Lakes shipping, where older vessels were frequently converted and redefined over their service lives.
References & Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – “O” List: Technical specs and fire-loss entry for John Stewart
(resources.ohiohistory.org, mpl.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Merchant Vessel registry notes and dock records confirming fire at Port Huron in March 1874
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1850, Newport, MI |
| Type | Wooden schooner-barge |
| Dimensions | 139 × 19 × 8 ft; 191 tons |
| Lost | March 12, 1874, Port Huron, Lake Huron |
| Cause | Fire onboard |
| Crew | None reported; presumed evacuated |
| Disposition | Burned and scrapped at dock |
Research Opportunities
- Examine local newspapers (e.g., Port Huron Times, spring 1874) for fire incident coverage.
- Check U.S. Customs or port records for official documentation of removal and disposal.
- Probe insurance ledgers for details on fire origin and assessed loss.