Owned by Nicol Transit Company of Buffalo, New York, the "John M. Nicol" was built at West Bay City, Michigan in 1889. She carried freight out of her homeport, Buffalo, New York. In December 1906 the "John M. Nicol" left St. Ignace, Michigan, carrying coal to Gladstone, Michigan. She began taking on water, and Captain J.M. Sanders beached the ship on Summer Island, near Point Detour, Michigan. The ship's wreckage still lies in shallow water off the east side of Summer Island.