J. S. Seaverns (Propeller), U76152, 1880

Once more the old steamer J.P. WARD, built in Detroit twenty three years ago, moves by steam. She has been changed into a schooner, rebuilt, and finally lengthened and transformed into a new steambarge named the J.S. SEAVERNS.
      The J.W. Hall Great lakes Marine Scrapbook, September 1880
     
     
     
SEAVERNS, J.S. Propeller of 173 tons. Built Saugatuck Aug. 1880 by James Elliott. Owned by R.C. Brittain. Home port, Saugatuck. Valued at $15,000 and classed A 2 REMARKS :- Built on bottom of Steamer WARD.
      Vessel Classification of Inland Lloyds
      American Hulls for 1882
     
     
     
SEAVERNS, J.S. Propeller. Home port, Saugatuck. On May 10, 1884 Propeller sunk at Michipicoten, Lake Superior, with a cargo of supplies, and became a total loss. Hull loss $12,500. Cargo loss $20,434. Insured for $28,434
      Disasters to Lake Vessels, 1884
      Cleveland Herald Nov. 28th. 1884
     
     
      Great Lakes Vessels Index Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
      Bowling Green State University
Registry & Rig Information Item: 006490
Vessel Name: SEAVERNS, J.S.
Nationality U.S.
Official Number: 76152
Rig: Propeller
Dimensions & Tonnage
Vessel Length: 0.00 Gross Tonnage: 173.28
Vessel Width: 0.00 Net Tonnage: 145.02
Vessel Height 0.00 Hull Material: Wood
Masts: Hull Number:
Builder Information
Place of Build: Saugatuck, MI
Builder: Elliot, James
Date of Build 1880
Disposition
Final enrollment surrendered at Grand Haven, MI, June 25, 1884, and endorsed "sold foreign." Vessel struck rock while backing away from dock at Michipicoten, Ontario, May 12, 1884, and sank. Apparently wreck was sold to Canadian parties.
History
First enrollment issued at Grand Haven, MI, August 28, 1880. Hull built on bottom of steamer SAM WARD.



This little boat [ J.P. WARD] had a colorful history. She was built at Detroit by J. L. Wolverton in 1857 as a sidewheel tug and was in use as a boom tug on the Saginaw River until she caught fire in July of 1865. She was raised and converted to a schooner (US#12791) locally, at a total cost of $40,000.
She was towed to Saugatuck after the accident above and her hull was was used by Brittain to build a passenger propeller named J. S. SEAVERNS (US#76152), being launched anew in 1880. The SEAVERNS was sold Canadian in 1884 and was owned on Lake Superior when she backed onto a reef in Michipicoten Harbor in May of the same year. She foundered after being pulled free, a total loss. ] Dave Swayze note.