Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas W. Ferry
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: J.M. Jones in Detroit
- Dimensions: ~180 ft × 30 ft × 16 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 572 tons
- Location: Southwest corner of Beaver Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 24904
- Original Owners: P.J. Ralph & Co., Detroit
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used as a bulk freighter.
Description
The Thomas W. Ferry was a wooden schooner built in 1872, measuring approximately 180 feet in length, 30 feet in beam, and 16 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of about 572 tons.
History
Regularly operated as a bulk freighter, the Thomas W. Ferry typically transported materials such as iron ore. At the time of its loss, it was owned by P.J. Ralph & Co. of Detroit.
Significant Incidents
- Date: November 17, 1880
- Location: Southwest corner of Beaver Island, Lake Michigan
- Event Trigger: Caught in a severe gale, the schooner was driven ashore.
- Cargo: Around 1,000 tons of iron ore.
- Damage Details: Vessel settled astride a large boulder, causing hogging (keel bending upward).
- Outcome: Declared a total loss by November 25, 1880; no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
The Thomas W. Ferry was declared a total loss shortly after the incident, with the hull deemed unrecoverable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it remains unrecovered. Further research and underwater surveys may provide insights into its remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”thomas-w-ferry-us-24902″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the Thomas W. Ferry serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions.
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.
(Wooden Schooner, built 1872; lost November 17, 1880)
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Built: 1872 by J.M. Jones in Detroit
- Official No.: 24904
- Type & Size: Three-masted wooden schooner; dimensions ~180 ft × 30 ft × 16 ft; approximately 572 tons burden
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Operational Use
- Regular bulk freighter, typically hauling materials like iron ore
- Owned by P. J. Ralph & Co. of Detroit at time of loss
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Sinking
- Date: November 17, 1880
- Location: Southwest corner of Beaver Island, Lake Michigan
- Event Trigger: Caught in a severe gale, the schooner was driven ashore
- Cargo: Around 1,000 tons of iron ore
- Damage Details: Vessel settled astride a large boulder, causing hogging (keel bending upward)
- Outcome: Declared a total loss by November 25, 1880; no casualties reported
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name & Type | Thomas W. Ferry, wooden schooner |
| Built | 1872, Detroit |
| Dimensions | ~180 × 30 × 16 ft; 572 tons |
| Owner | P. J. Ralph & Co., Detroit |
| Loss Date & Location | Nov 17, 1880; Beaver Island, Lake Michigan |
| Cause of Loss | Gale-driven grounding; hogging over boulder |
| Cargo | 1,000 tons iron ore |
| Crew Safety | All aboard survived |
| Final Status | Total loss; unrecoverable hull |
Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry for “Thomas W. Ferry” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- U.S. vessel registry confirmation (1880 official number & specs) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Next Steps & Further Research
- Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
- Explore late Nov 1880 newspapers (Detroit Free Press, Traverse City Record-Eagle, Charlevoix Courier) for rescue details, weather reports, or salvage attempts.
- Hydrographic Survey and Chart Analysis
- Examine 19th-century Navy or Coast Survey charts to pinpoint boulder/hazard location near Beaver Island—useful for wreck mapping or dive planning.
- Ownership & Insurance Files
- Investigate P.J. Ralph & Co. or marine insurance ledgers for records of salvage value, claims, or cargo loss.
- Maritime Archaeology Mapping
- Review NOAA or Michigan State underwater surveys for wreck remnants around southwest Beaver Island, potentially documenting this schooner’s remains.
Would you like me to proceed with any of the following?
- Retrieve archived newspaper articles from November 1880
- Source hydrographic charts of Beaver Island shoal
- Look up insurance or ownership records
- Check for archaeological surveys or dive logs in the wreck area