The John M. Osborn was a propeller wooden steam barge built in 1882 by Morley and Hill in Marine City, Michigan.

[2] Captain Thomas Wilford's wife Fannie and his two daughters, Cora and Adelaide were on board the Osborn on her final day of 27 July 1884.

They enjoyed a sunny day walking the deck, attending Sunday school services, and talking to the sailors, including the mate, George F. Cleveland, who also owned the Osborn.

[3] The wooden Osborn was downbound for the Soo Locks with a cargo of 1,120 tons of iron ore and towing two schooner barges, the George W. Davis and the Thomas Gawn.

[3] Shipwreck historian Frederick Stonehouse wrote: As reported in the local papers, 'the barge blew three whistles, the Alberta answering, and checked down to seven miles per hour, but in a moment the Osborn appeared under the Alberta's bow and the latter struck her midway between the main and mizzen masts on the starboard side, cutting her almost in twain.

[4] The large gash in the Osborn's hull caused the water to hit her hot boilers which exploded and immediately killed two crewmen.

[4] The Cleveland News Leader said of the Alberta, "This huge steel monster, during the few months she has been afloat has become the terror of the lakes.

[2] The wreck of the John M. Osborn was discovered in 1984, 100 years after she sank; the discoverers were the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society [GLSHS] and the Oddessey Foundation of Lansing, Michigan.

[2] In 1985, shipwreck historian Frederick Stonehouse wrote, "Reportedly the Osborn is nearly intact and a time capsule of an earlier era of Great Lakes maritime history.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment 1992 raid on the GLSHS offices and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum included seizure of artifacts that were illegally removed from the John M.