Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

John V. Jones US 75766

Explore the remains of the John V. Jones, a 3-masted schooner that met its fate in a storm on Lake Michigan in 1905.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: John V. Jones
  • Type: 3-Masted Schooner
  • Year Built: 1875
  • Builder: Rand & Burger
  • Dimensions: Length: 125.20 ft (38.16 m); Beam: 27 ft (8.23 m); Depth of hold: 8.6 ft (2.62 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 200.78 tons
  • Location: Jones Island, Milwaukee Harbor, Wisconsin
  • Coordinates: Lat: 43° 01.338′ N; Lon: 87° 53.651′ W
  • Official Number: 75766
  • Original Owners: Nathan R. Allen (Kenosha) and Ole Hansen
  • Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

  • Primary Use: Lumber carrier for the Lake Michigan trade
  • Typical Cargo: Hardwood lumber from Northern Michigan & Wisconsin

Description

The John V. Jones was a dedicated lumber schooner serving the Lake Michigan trade routes from 1875 until 1905. Built by Rand & Burger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, she was a wooden vessel with a gross tonnage of 200.78 tons and dimensions of 125.20 ft in length, 27 ft in beam, and a depth of hold of 8.6 ft.

History

The John V. Jones had a service history marked by several incidents, including a collision with the propeller Wissahickon in October 1877 and significant repairs in 1889 and 1898. The last active document for the vessel was issued on 20 March 1902.

Significant Incidents

  • October 1877: Collided with propeller Wissahickon near Chicago
  • 1887: Received new sails
  • 1889 & 1898: Underwent significant repairs and recaulking
  • 1903: Centerboard trunk repaired; deck recaulked

Final Disposition

The John V. Jones was scuttled at Jones Island, Milwaukee Harbor, after being deemed uneconomical to repair. The wreck was towed to Milwaukee by the Revenue Cutter Tuscarora and scuttled around 26 October 1905. The final enrollment was surrendered on 18 January 1906.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the John V. Jones are presumed buried beneath harbor fill at Jones Island. There are no publicly visible remains, and diving is not feasible in this area due to commercial harbor activity.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-v-jones-us-75766″ title=”References & Links”]

The John V. Jones represents the late era of commercial sail on Lake Michigan, illustrating the decline of lumber schooners and the growing reliance on rail ferries and powered vessels.

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.

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name(s): John V. Jones
  • Registry Number: 75766
  • Year Built: 1875
  • Builder: Rand & Burger
  • Build Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 125.20 ft (38.16 m)
    • Beam: 27 ft (8.23 m)
    • Depth of Hold: 8.6 ft (2.62 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 200.78 tons
  • Rig Type: 3-Masted Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Propulsion: Sail
  • Number of Masts: 3
  • Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Final Owner(s): Nathan R. Allen (Kenosha) and Ole Hansen

Vessel Type

  • Primary Use: Lumber carrier for the Lake Michigan trade
  • Typical Cargo: Hardwood lumber from Northern Michigan & Wisconsin

Service History

The John V. Jones was a dedicated lumber schooner serving the Lake Michigan trade routes from 1875 until 1905.

  • October 1877: Collided with propeller Wissahickon near Chicago
  • 1887: Received new sails
  • 1889 & 1898: Underwent significant repairs and recaulking
  • 1903: Centerboard trunk repaired; deck recaulked
  • Enrollment: Last active document issued 20 March 1902

Final Voyage

  • Date of Loss: 20 October 1905
  • Route: Traverse Bay, MI → Milwaukee, WI
  • Cargo: Hardwood lumber
  • Incident:
    • Struck by a violent storm mid-Lake Michigan
    • Knocked onto her beam ends and became waterlogged
    • Crew of six clung to the rigging for ~20 hours
    • Two drowned, four rescued by Pere Marquette No. 18
  • Aftermath:
    • Wreck towed to Milwaukee by Revenue Cutter Tuscarora
    • Deemed uneconomical to repair and scuttled at Jones Island ~26 October 1905
    • Final enrollment surrendered 18 January 1906

Casualties

  • Lives Lost: 2
  • Victims were recovered and brought to Milwaukee.
  • Burial records are likely within Milwaukee County Coroner’s Reports (1905).

Final Disposition

  • Scuttled at Jones Island, Milwaukee Harbor
  • Coordinates of reported remains:
    • Lat: 43° 01.338′ N
    • Lon: 87° 53.651′ W
  • Likely incorporated into Milwaukee’s crib & breakwater landfill area

Today

  • The remains are presumed buried beneath harbor fill at Jones Island.
  • No publicly visible remains; diving is not feasible in this area due to commercial harbor activity.

Resources & Archival Links

Historical Significance

The John V. Jones represents the late era of commercial sail on Lake Michigan, when schooners were steadily replaced by steamers. Her final abandonment illustrates the decline of lumber schooners and the growing reliance on rail ferries and powered vessels.

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