Identification & Site Information

• • Vessel Name: Marquette
• • Vessel Type: Barkentine (Three-Masted Schooner)
• • Year Built: 1856
• • Builder: James Bushnell
• • Construction Location: Newport (Marine City), Michigan
• • Dimensions:
• • Length: 139 feet (42.4 meters)
• • Beam: 30 feet (9.1 meters)
• • Depth: 11 feet 2 inches (3.4 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 436 65/95 tons (old style measurement)
• • Final Resting Place: Hope Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• • Depth of Wreck: 45 feet (12 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The Marquette was a wooden Barkentine, a versatile three-masted vessel with square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the other two masts. Built for strength and adaptability, the Marquette was ideally suited to handle the varied and often harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. The vessel served as a vital cargo transporter, reflecting the shipbuilding advancements and robust maritime trade of the mid-19th century.

History

Launch and Early Years (1856):

Built by James Bushnell in 1856, the Marquette was commissioned by Eber B. Ward of Detroit, Michigan, and was initially employed in Lake Superior trade. It was officially enrolled in Detroit on June 18, 1856.

Incidents and Repairs (1860-1862):

• November 1860: The Marquette collided with the Schooner Milwaukee at St. Helena, Lake Michigan, sustaining damage.

• September 1862: It sank after a collision with the A.J. Warner near Cheboygan, Michigan. The vessel was salvaged and repaired, continuing its service.

Later Service:

Over the years, the Marquette underwent multiple ownership changes and remeasurements, serving various ports and cargoes across the Great Lakes. Its final owner, S.J. Perry of Chicago, Illinois, maintained the vessel until its eventual loss.

Final Disposition

On November 20, 1867, the Marquette met its end near Hope Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. While transporting 20,000 bushels of corn from Chicago to Collingwood, the vessel was caught in a violent gale. The storm drove the Marquette aground, and despite the crew’s efforts to save the ship, it sank in the waters surrounding Hope Island. The exact coordinates of the wreck remain known only in the vicinity, serving as a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Current Notices: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the Marquette wreck site.

• Advisory for Divers: Divers are encouraged to check current conditions and follow safety guidelines while exploring the site.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Marquette near Hope Island has been known for many years and is a popular dive site. However, specific details regarding the wreck’s discovery and formal identification are not well-documented.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships

Conclusion

The Marquette symbolizes the resilience and risks of Great Lakes maritime history. Despite surviving collisions, a sinking, and repairs, the vessel ultimately succumbed to a gale in 1867. Today, the wreck of the Marquette lies beneath 45 feet (12 meters) of water near Hope Island, a poignant reminder of the perils of 19th-century navigation. For divers and historians alike, the Marquette offers a fascinating window into the past, reflecting the robust maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.