136 Year Old Steamer Jane Miller Found in Georgian Bay

On November 25, 1881, the steamer Jane Miller sank in the Georgian Bay off Lake Huron with the loss of 28 passengers and crew. This summer, American shipwreck hunters Jared Daniels, Jerry Eliason and Ken Merryman, located the wreck in Colpoys Bay, an inlet of Georgian Bay leading to Wiarton on the east side of the Bruce Peninsula north of Owen Sound. They delayed the announcement until the November anniversary of the sinking.

The 24-meter ship is remarkably intact and with its mast rising within 23 meters of the surface. The shipwreck hunters also reported spotting what could be the remains of bodies. The Jane Miller was launched in 1879 on Manitoulin Island and ran between Collingwood and Manitoulin with stops along the way, taking on passengers, farm goods, and other freight.

Marine historian Scott Cameron describes the steamer as rather cranky — short and stumpy with a high profile and shallow draft that made it roll heavily in stormy seas and made it difficult to handle.

Coastal Steamer Jane Miller from Kenneth Merryman on Vimeo.

Comments

136 Year Old Steamer Jane Miller Found in Georgian Bay — 3 Comments

  1. Their video doesnt show anything of bodies. Yet at 150 years after and life boats appear to have been launched. It may not have been as catastrophic as reports of the sinking would like us to believe. The survivors may have perished in the life boats.

  2. The video is edited from raw footage, of course; they very likely would not included any images of what they believe were human remains.