Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Julia Smith
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Likely in Wisconsin (Door County region)
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Off Jacksonport (Ahnapee), Kewaunee County, Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Small cargo schooner, primarily used for carrying firewood, lumber, and general freight along Lake Michigan routes, notably between Jacksonport and Milwaukee.
Description
The Julia Smith was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1847, likely in the Door County region of Wisconsin. She was designed for the transportation of cargo, particularly firewood and lumber, which were essential for the local economy during the 19th century.
History
Throughout her service, Julia Smith was involved in the lumber trade, navigating the waters of Lake Michigan. She was known for her role in transporting goods between various ports, contributing to the economic activities of the region.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: November 27/29, 1881
- Incident Summary: On November 29, 1881, the schooner was loaded with 60 cords of wood at Hibbard’s pier in Jacksonport. A strong southerly gale caused her to drag anchor and ground in shallow water. The crew abandoned the vessel, which soon broke apart on the beach.
- Casualties: None reported; the crew reached shore safely.
Final Disposition
The Julia Smith was declared a total loss after she broke apart on the beach following her grounding. The incident highlights the dangers faced by vessels in exposed anchorages during severe weather conditions.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Julia Smith is not accessible for salvage, as it was battered to pieces on the shore. The site may still hold historical significance, representing the challenges of early maritime trade in the region.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”julia-smith-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of Julia Smith serves as a reminder of the perils of maritime navigation in the Great Lakes, particularly in exposed areas like Door County. Her story reflects the broader context of the 19th-century lumber trade and the vessels that supported it.
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.
built 1847; lost November 27/29, 1881, Wooden two‑masted schooner, Lake Michigan
Identification & Vessel Background
- Built: 1847, likely in Wisconsin (Door County region)
- Type & Use: Small cargo schooner, carrying firewood, lumber, and general freight along Lake Michigan routes, notably between Jacksonport and Milwaukee.
Final Voyage & Loss — Late November 1881
- Timeline: At about 5 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 1881, the schooner loaded with 60 cords of wood at Hibbard’s pier in Jacksonport. By early afternoon, she had dragged anchor into 12 ft of water, before grounding in 7–8 ft offshore.
- Incident Summary: A strong southerly gale drove her ashore near Ahnapee (Kewaunee County), about 80 rods north of the anchorage. Believing salvage impossible, the crew slipped the cable and abandoned the vessel, which broke apart soon afterward on the beach.
- Casualties: None reported. Crew reached shore safely
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Julia Smith |
| Built | 1847, Wisconsin (likely Door County region) |
| Type | Two-masted wooden schooner (cargo, wood trade) |
| Loss Date | November 27/29, 1881 |
| Loss Location | Off Jacksonport (Ahnapee), Kewaunee County, Lake Michigan |
| Cargo | 60 cords of wood (firewood) |
| Incident Cause | Dragged anchor in gale, grounded and abandoned |
| Crew Casualties | None |
| Final Outcome | Total loss; hull broke apart on beach |
Context & Historical Significance
- Julia Smith typifies the small freight schooners that plied Lake Michigan’s northern Wisconsin lumber trade in the 19th century—often overtaxed with seasonal cargo like wood.
- The loss occurred just after unloading and reloading near Jacksonport; the location near the mouth of Ahnapee is a known exposed anchorage vulnerable to southerly storms. By noon, anchorage conditions deteriorated and salvage was impossible.
Research Recommendations
To expand this slim profile further:
- Local newspapers (late Nov 1881)—Door County Advocate or Two Rivers Gazette may contain eyewitness accounts, cargo value, or crew statements.
- Customs or port records—to trace ownership, captain, and shipping manifests.
- Insurance or underwriter ledgers—may document claims under vessel name and cargo.
- Regional maritime or historical societies (e.g. Two Rivers/Door County)—may own maps, pier logs, or personal diaries referencing the incident.
Conclusion
Julia Smith was a firewood schooner built in 1847, lost during a gale on November 29, 1881, off Jacksonport, WI. Laden with 60 cords of wood, she dragged anchor and grounded in shallow water. The crew safely abandoned ship, but the vessel was battered to pieces on the shore with no salvage. Her loss is characteristic of exposed anchorages in Door County’s early lumber coastal shipping. Let me know if you’d like help retrieving local newspaper scans, port logs, or insurance documents for deeper insight.
julia-smith-1847 1881-11-29 12:00:00