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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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