Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Julia Miner
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Dupont & Perra, Detroit
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Northeast of Big Charity Island, Saginaw Bay
- Original Owners: Frutchey of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Julia Miner was a wooden schooner, originally named Sampson, likely used for transporting roofing materials and gravel.
Description
Built in 1867 by Dupont & Perra in Detroit, the Julia Miner was named after Julia Miner, the wife of Captain John Miner. The vessel’s specifications, including dimensions and tonnage, are not detailed in available sources.
History
On June 7, 1894, while upbound in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, the Julia Miner struck a reef northeast of Big Charity Island during a storm. The impact caused significant damage to the forward hull, leading the crew to abandon ship. All crew members were safely rescued by a local lighthouse keeper.
Initially declared a total loss, the vessel was surprisingly refloated and repaired by August 1894. At the time of the incident, the Julia Miner was owned by Frutchey of Detroit and had reportedly been uninsurable for several years prior to the wreck.
Significant Incidents
- June 7, 1894: Struck a reef during a storm in Saginaw Bay, leading to abandonment of the vessel.
- All crew survived, aided by a lighthouse keeper.
- Initially declared a total loss but refloated and repaired by August 1894.
Final Disposition
The Julia Miner was refloated and repaired after being declared a total loss. This recovery is notable for its speed and reflects the resilience of late 19th-century Great Lakes maritime practices.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented in available sources. Further research may be needed to assess the site and any remaining artifacts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”julia-miner-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Julia Miner illustrates the challenges faced by Great Lakes vessels in the 19th century, as well as the community’s response to maritime incidents. The wreck site and the vessel’s repair history provide valuable insights into the era’s maritime resilience.
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 & Specifications
- Name: Julia Miner (originally Sampson), named for Julia Miner, wife of Captain John Miner.
- Built: 1867 by Dupont & Perra, Detroit
- Type: Wooden schooner, likely carrying roofing materials and gravel
- Dimensions & Tonnage: Not specified in sources
Final Voyage & Loss
- On June 7, 1894, while upbound in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, Julia Miner struck a reef northeast of Big Charity Island during a storm
- The impact wrecked the vessel; forward hull holing led crew to abandon ship. All safely rescued by local lighthouse keeper
(MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Crew & Aftermath
- All crew survived, sheltered by the lighthouse keeper onshore
- Initially declared a total loss, but notable is that the vessel was refloated and repaired by August 1894
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Owned by Frutchey of Detroit, and reportedly uninsurable for years prior
Archival Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“M” list): Provides summary of reef strike, crew rescue, rebuilding, and ownership
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Meandering Michigan History: Notes construction details, final reefing location, and that crew were aided by a lighthouse keeper northeast of Big Charity Island
(MEANDERING MICHIGAN HISTORY)
Gaps & Recommended Research
| Topic | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|
| Vessel specifications | Vessel enrollment records (BGSU/Bowling Green, Detroit archives) |
| Detailed cargo info | 1894 freight manifests—Detroit or Saginaw port records |
| Storm/weather documentation | U.S. Weather Service archives, June 1894 Saginaw Bay storm logs |
| Lighthouse keeper identity | Lighthouse Service logs for Big Charity Island in mid-1894 |
| Ownership & insurance records | Detroit-area marine insurance ledgers for owner Frutchey |
Conclusion
Julia Miner was a Detroit-built schooner that foundered on a reef northeast of Big Charity Island during a June 7 storm in 1894. All crew were rescued by a nearby lighthouse keeper. Though initially a total loss, she was surprisingly repaired by August—an uncommon turnaround. The wreck site, crew story, and repair offer valuable insight into late‑19th-century Great Lakes maritime resilience.
- Draft archival search requests (for enrollment, weather, lighthouse logs)?
- Assemble newspaper archive targets (e.g., Saginaw News, Detroit Free Press) for June–August 1894 coverage?
- Outline a remote-sensing survey proposal for reef debris near Big Charity Island?