Identification & Site Information

•Name: Unidentified Rum Runner Boat

•Type: Small motorized vessel, likely associated with rum-running activities

•Location: Near Holy Cross Church, Marine City, Michigan

•Depth: Not specified, but remnants are visible on the river bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg

•Condition:

•Visible remains: Auhttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgobile-sized flat-head engine, scattered wooden fragments.

•Buried remains: Likely additional wooden Hull sections buried under the river sediment.

•Covered in Zebra Mussels and significantly degraded.

Description and Possible History

Rum-Running in Marine City

During Prohibition (1920–1933), Marine City and the surrounding waterways were hubs of rum-running activity due to their proximity to Canada and the Detroit River, both key smuggling routes. Boats like this one were frequently used to transport illicit alcohol across Lake St. Clair and into the United States.

Engine Characteristics

The visible engine, described as “auhttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgobile-sized” and with a flat head (indicative of a pre-1950 design), supports the hypothesis that this boat was active during the Prohibition era. Flat-head engines were commonly used in small motorboats, which rum runners favored for their speed, agility, and shallow drafts that allowed navigation close to shore and in narrow channels.

Potential Connections

This wreck could belong to one of the following categories:

1.Captured Rum Runner Boats: Historical records indicate that seven rum-runner boats were captured in June 1929 and brought to Marine City. Some captured boats were intentionally burned and sunk as a preventive measure to keep them out of circulation.

2.Smuggler’s Vessel: Another possibility is that this was an active smuggling boat that sank due to interception, mechanical failure, or hazardous weather.

3.Post-Prohibition Vessel: While less likely, it is possible that this boat was used after Prohibition for similar illicit activities or met an unrelated fate.

Connection to the March 1929 Incident

The nearby shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol officer in March 1929, reportedly involving a Canadian Rum Runner and a local accomplice, reflects the tensions and dangers of Prohibition enforcement in the area. This wreck could provide a tangible connection to these high-stakes activities, even if its direct link to specific incidents remains uncertain.

Site Condition

The wreck is severely degraded, with most of its wooden Hull either buried or deteriorated. The visible engine and scattered wooden fragments may be the most accessible remnants for exploration. Zebra Mussels, invasive mollusks common in the Great Lakes, have encrusted much of the remaining structure.

Significance

This wreck highlights the legacy of Prohibition-era rum running on the Great Lakes, specifically in Marine City, a critical node in the smuggling network. Marine City’s proximity to Canada made it a hotbed of clandestine activity, and this boat is a relic of a turbulent chapter in U.S. maritime history. The wreck’s location near the Holy Cross Church adds historical intrigue, as this prominent landmark may have served as a reference point for smugglers navigating the river.

Preservation and Study

While the wreck is significantly degraded, steps could be taken to:

•Map and Document the Site: A dive survey could document remaining features and assess the potential for buried Hull sections.

•Engine Analysis: Examination of the engine may help identify its origin and manufacturing date, potentially narrowing down the vessel’s construction period.

•Historical Research: Archival newspaper accounts, law enforcement records, and oral histories could provide context and clues about this boat’s history and its connection to Prohibition activities.

Conclusion

The rum-runner wreck near Holy Cross Church is a fascinating link to the Prohibition era, reflecting the ingenuity and risks of smuggling operations on the Great Lakes. Whether part of the seven captured boats of June 1929 or another vessel meeting a similar fate, this site underscores Marine City’s role in a larger narrative of defiance and enforcement during one of the most notorious periods in U.S. history.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical context for Great Lakes vessels and smuggling activities.

2.Historical Newspapers: Local reports on Prohibition enforcement and rum-running.

3.Wikipedia: Prohibition in the United States for background on smuggling routes and economic impacts.

Keywords

Prohibition, Rum Running, Marine City, Holy Cross Church, Lake St. Clair, Great Lakes Smuggling, 1929 Shipwreck, Flat-Head Engine, Prohibition Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol.