Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John Mitchell
- Type: Bulk freighter (wood), floating drydock
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Frank W. Wheeler & Co., West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 283 ft (86.3 m); Beam 41 ft (12.5 m); Depth of hold 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,491 tons
- Location: Between Brebeuf and Giant’s Tomb Islands, Georgian Bay
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates undocumented, known to local divers.
- Official Number: US 76792 / Canadian 134263
- Original Owners: Ganton Dobson / Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A large wooden bulk carrier built for general cargo including coal, grain, and ore. Reinforced with steel elements, she was part of the transitional generation between wooden and steel freighters. Her size and beam made her one of the largest wooden vessels of her era.
Description
The John Mitchell was a significant vessel in the evolution of Great Lakes shipping, showcasing the transition from wooden to steel construction. Initially built as a bulk carrier, she later served as a floating drydock, reflecting the adaptability of maritime technology.
History
- 1889–1902: Operated as John Mitchell on U.S. registry.
- 1902–1914: Renamed Major under U.S. ownership.
- 1914: Transferred to Canadian registry.
- Nov 9, 1913: On Lake Superior, she lost her smokestack in heavy seas while laden with coal. The crew abandoned her; she drifted until salvaged and towed into Sault Ste. Marie. Cargo was salvaged.
- 1914–1918: Operated under Playfair Steamship Co., trading stone, coal, ore, and grain.
- 1918: Engines removed and installed in a new steel vessel. The hull sold to the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding & Wrecking Co.
- 1921–22: Converted into a floating drydock at Midland, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
- 1922–1940: Operated as floating drydock at the foot of Midland Avenue. Over 230 vessels were serviced on her decks.
- 1931: Temporarily relocated to accommodate freighter J.E. Savage; a rare movement after nearly a decade of stationary service.
- August 3, 1931: Partially burned at Penetanguishene (Penetang), Ontario. Cause unknown.
- 1941 (Sept): Completely destroyed by fire while beached on west Midland Bay. Arson or accidental origin suspected. Investigation by insurers inconclusive.
- 1962 (April): Hulk raised and intentionally sunk between Brebeuf and Giant’s Tomb Islands in Georgian Bay.
Final Disposition
The John Mitchell / Major was ultimately scuttled in 1962 after a long career that included significant service as a floating drydock. Her final resting place is known to local divers, although exact coordinates are not documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck is submerged and may be visible via side-scan sonar in the Midland Bay zone. No navigational hazards are currently listed for the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”major-john-mitchell-us-76792-c-134263″ title=”References & Links”]
The John Mitchell / Major represents a significant artifact in the evolution of Great Lakes ship construction and industrial adaptation. Her career encompassed the golden era of wooden freighters, survival of the 1913 Great Storm, and repurposing as a floating drydock that supported hundreds of vessels during economic downturns. Though largely uncelebrated in preservation efforts, her long, adaptive career and final scuttling near Georgian Bay make her a prime subject for documentation, heritage tagging, or exploratory dives.
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
- Original Name: John Mitchell
- Renamed:
- (a) Major (U.S.) — 1902
- (b) Major (Canada) — 1914
- U.S. Registry: 76792
- Canadian Registry: 134263
- Hull No.: 47 (Frank W. Wheeler & Co., West Bay City, MI)
- Launched: April 3, 1889
- Builder: Frank W. Wheeler & Co., West Bay City, Michigan
- Final Owner: Ganton Dobson / Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
- Bulk carrier (wooden propeller freighter)
- Later converted to floating drydock
- Dimensions
- Length (original): 283 ft (86.3 m)
- Beam: 41 ft (12.5 m)
- Depth: 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 1,491 tons
- Construction: Wood with steel arches and Howe truss reinforcement
Description
A large wooden bulk carrier built for general cargo including coal, grain, and ore. Reinforced with steel elements, she was part of the transitional generation between wooden and steel freighters. Her size and beam made her one of the largest wooden vessels of her era.
History
- 1889–1902: Operated as John Mitchell on U.S. registry.
- 1902–1914: Renamed Major under U.S. ownership.
- 1914: Transferred to Canadian registry.
- Nov 9, 1913: On Lake Superior, she lost her smokestack in heavy seas while laden with coal. The crew abandoned her; she drifted until salvaged and towed into Sault Ste. Marie. Cargo was salvaged.
- 1914–1918: Operated under Playfair Steamship Co., trading stone, coal, ore, and grain.
- 1918: Engines removed and installed in a new steel vessel. The hull sold to the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding & Wrecking Co.
- 1921–22: Converted into a floating drydock at Midland, Ontario.
Final Disposition
- 1922–1940: Operated as floating drydock at the foot of Midland Avenue. Over 230 vessels were serviced on her decks.
- 1931: Temporarily relocated to accommodate freighter J.E. Savage; a rare movement after nearly a decade of stationary service.
- August 3, 1931: Partially burned at Penetanguishene (Penetang), Ontario. Cause unknown.
- 1941 (Sept): Completely destroyed by fire while beached on west Midland Bay. Arson or accidental origin suspected. Investigation by insurers inconclusive.
- 1962 (April): Hulk raised and intentionally sunk between Brebeuf and Giant’s Tomb Islands in Georgian Bay.
Located By & Date Found
- Raised: 1962
- Sunk Again: April 1962 (scuttled near Giants Tomb Island)
- Exact coordinates: Undocumented in public NOAA/CHS records, but known to local divers and potentially visible via side-scan in Midland Bay zone.
Notmars & Advisories
- None formally issued. No navigational hazard currently listed for the sunken hulk site.
Resources & Links
- Historical Great Lakes Vessels Index – HCGL
- [Midland Free Press Articles (July 16 & Oct 1, 1941)]
- [Dobson Drydock Fire Investigations – Free Press Herald, Oct 8, 1941]
- [Frank Wheeler Shipyard Registry – West Bay City]
- [James Davidson Yard Log (via Ivan Brook’s Scrapbook)]
- [NOAA & CHS wreck listings – no entry under this name]
Conclusion
The John Mitchell / Major represents a significant artifact in the evolution of Great Lakes ship construction and industrial adaptation. Her career encompassed:
- The golden era of wooden freighters
- Survival of the 1913 Great Storm
- Repurposing as a floating drydock that supported hundreds of vessels during economic downturns
Though largely uncelebrated in preservation efforts, her long, adaptive career and final scuttling near Georgian Bay make her a prime subject for documentation, heritage tagging, or exploratory dives.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Region: Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Midland Bay
- Type: Bulk freighter (wood), floating drydock
- Material: Wood (with steel reinforcements)
- Period: 1889–1941 (active); 1962 (final scuttling)
- Cause of Loss: Fire (unexplained), scuttled
- Dive Difficulty: Moderate (visibility, low structural profile)
- Heritage Significance: High (multi-phase industrial use)