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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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