1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Mary H. Boyce was a wooden steambarge built in 1888 by Duncan Robertson in Grand Haven, Michigan. Designed for the transportation of lumber and grain, the vessel measured 181.4 feet (55.3 meters) in length, 34.2 feet (10.4 meters) in beam, and 14 feet (4.3 meters) in depth. With a gross tonnage of 700.83 and a net tonnage of 607.60, the Mary H. Boyce served as a vital component of the Great Lakes shipping industry, primarily hauling bulk cargo.
3. HISTORY #
The Mary H. Boyce was launched in 1888 in Grand Haven, Michigan, and was originally owned by Sherman Hoyt Boyce and others from the same city. The vessel played a significant role in the transportation of lumber and grain across the Great Lakes, which were essential commodities for the region’s economy during that time.
In 1919, the vessel was sold to Canadian owners and re-registered under the official number 140994. The Mary H. Boyce continued its service on the Great Lakes, and in 1923, it was converted into a grain lighter, a type of vessel used to offload grain from larger ships in shallow ports.
The vessel’s operational life came to a tragic end in 1928 when it was severely damaged by a fire while in Fort William, Ontario (now part of Thunder Bay). The specifics of the cargo at the time of the fire, as well as any casualties, are not detailed in historical records.
The final disposition of the Mary H. Boyce is somewhat unclear, with differing reports regarding its fate. One account suggests that the vessel was scuttled in the lake after the fire, while another indicates it was dismantled in 1936. However, it is known that in 1933, the Mary H. Boyce was scuttled in the Welcome Islands area of Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, after being removed from the boneyard in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay).
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Mary H. Boyce was significantly damaged by fire in 1928 in Fort William, Ontario. The vessel was later scuttled in 1933 in the Welcome Islands area of Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. Although there are varying reports about its final disposition, the scuttling in 1933 marks the end of the vessel’s service life on the Great Lakes.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Mary H. Boyce. Mariners navigating near the Welcome Islands area in Thunder Bay should be aware of the historical wreck site and potential underwater hazards.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The specific location of the Mary H. Boyce’s scuttling in the Welcome Islands area of Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, is not documented. The scuttling occurred in 1933, following the vessel’s removal from the boneyard in Port Arthur.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The condition of the Mary H. Boyce’s wreck is not well-documented. Given the vessel was scuttled after being heavily damaged by fire, it is likely that the wreck is in a deteriorated state. Further exploration would be required to assess the current condition and accessibility of the wreck.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The history of the Mary H. Boyce reflects the dynamic and often perilous nature of maritime operations on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s conversion into a grain lighter in 1923 and its subsequent fire in 1928 demonstrate the challenges faced by steambarges during this period. The final scuttling of the Mary H. Boyce in 1933 marks the end of a vessel that had contributed significantly to the transportation of lumber and grain across the Great Lakes.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Due to the limited information on the depth and condition of the Mary H. Boyce’s wreck, diving details are not readily available. However, if the site were to be explored, it would likely require advanced diving skills due to the potential deterioration of the wreck and the historical significance of the site. Divers should approach the site with caution and respect for the vessel’s history.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Steambarge
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
CONCLUSION #
The steambarge Mary H. Boyce, built in 1888, played a significant role in the transportation of lumber and grain on the Great Lakes before meeting its tragic end in a fire in 1928. The subsequent scuttling of the vessel in 1933 in the Welcome Islands area of Thunder Bay marks the final chapter in the history of a vessel that had served the Great Lakes shipping industry for several decades. The wreck of the Mary H. Boyce remains a part of the rich maritime history of Lake Superior.
