Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: JOHN TIBBETS
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: 114 ft (34.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Clear Creek, Ontario
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Two or three masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The JOHN TIBBETS was a wooden-hulled merchant schooner, typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes cargo vessels. Schooners of this type were primarily used for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, grain, and lumber across the lakes.
Description
Built in 1863, the JOHN TIBBETS measured 114 feet (34.7 meters) in length. While specific details about her beam, depth, and tonnage are not provided in the available sources, schooners of this era were designed for durability and capacity, featuring two or three masts and a broad beam to maximize cargo space.
History
On July 11, 1888, the JOHN TIBBETS was transporting a cargo of coal when she encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The vessel foundered in the shallows near Clear Creek, Ontario, and subsequently broke apart due to the relentless storm waves. Most of her crew managed to reach the shore using a yawl, while two crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. Remarkably, there were no fatalities reported in this incident.
Significant Incidents
- July 11, 1888: The JOHN TIBBETS foundered during a severe storm on Lake Erie.
- Most crew members reached shore safely; two were rescued by another vessel.
Final Disposition
Following the wreck, the remains of the JOHN TIBBETS were left in place. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the JOHN TIBBETS’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources. Mariners operating in Lake Erie near Clear Creek should be aware of submerged hazards and consult current nautical charts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-tibbets-1863″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the JOHN TIBBETS in 1888 underscores the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during sudden and severe storms. The incident highlights the challenges of emergency response and the resilience of the crew in the face of adversity. The JOHN TIBBETS’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: JOHN TIBBETS
- Former Names: None known
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built: 1863
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: 114 ft (34.7 m) in length
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: July 11, 1888
- Place of Loss: Clear Creek, Ontario
- Lake: Erie
- Type of Loss: Storm
- Cargo: Coal
- Loss of Life: None
- Home Port: Not specified(Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
The JOHN TIBBETS was a wooden-hulled merchant schooner, typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes cargo vessels. Schooners of this type were primarily used for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, grain, and lumber across the lakes.(alcheminc.com)
Description
Built in 1863, the JOHN TIBBETS measured 114 feet (34.7 meters) in length. While specific details about her beam, depth, and tonnage are not provided in the available sources, schooners of this era were designed for durability and capacity, featuring two or three masts and a broad beam to maximize cargo space.
History
On July 11, 1888, the JOHN TIBBETS was transporting a cargo of coal when she encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. The vessel foundered in the shallows near Clear Creek, Ontario, and subsequently broke apart due to the relentless storm waves. Most of her crew managed to reach the shore using a yawl, while two crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. Remarkably, there were no fatalities reported in this incident. (alcheminc.com)
Final Disposition
Following the wreck, the remains of the JOHN TIBBETS were left in place. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.
Located By & Date Found
Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the JOHN TIBBETS’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific Notices to Mariners (Notmars) or advisories related to the wreck of the JOHN TIBBETS have been identified. However, mariners operating in Lake Erie near Clear Creek should be aware of submerged hazards and consult current nautical charts.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the JOHN TIBBETS in 1888 underscores the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during sudden and severe storms. The incident highlights the challenges of emergency response and the resilience of the crew in the face of adversity. The JOHN TIBBETS’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
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