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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Mary Alice B. was a 45-foot tugboat designed for towing and assisting larger vessels on the Great Lakes. Tugboats like the Mary Alice B. were essential to maritime operations, providing critical services in harbors and along busy shipping routes. These vessels were built to be sturdy and reliable, capable of performing under various conditions.
HISTORY #
The Mary Alice B. met its tragic end in 1975 when it sank in Lake Huron off the coast of Port Sanilac, Michigan. The incident was reported in the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) number 72/75 on September 10, 1975. The exact circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, but it resulted in the tugboat becoming a submerged wreck, posing a significant danger to surface navigation in the area.
Located at a depth of approximately 75 feet (23 meters), the Mary Alice B. is situated in a position that has been identified as hazardous to ships navigating the waters of Lake Huron. The wreck’s location at coordinates 43°20’18″N and 82°26’24″W places it off the coast of Port Sanilac, a popular area for both commercial and recreational vessels.
The geographical position of the wreck is noted as “Medium” quality, suggesting moderate accuracy in the reported coordinates. The depth of 0 feet indicated in some records likely reflects the fact that the wreckage poses a hazard at or near the water’s surface, making it especially dangerous for vessels passing through the area.
RESTING PLACE #
The wreck of the Mary Alice B. lies submerged off the coast of Port Sanilac, Michigan, in Lake Huron. It is located at a depth of 75 feet, but due to its classification as “dangerous to surface navigation,” it is likely that parts of the wreckage are near or at the surface. This presents a hidden danger to vessels, particularly those unaware of the wreck’s presence.
SALVAGING EFFORTS #
There are no detailed records of any significant salvage operations conducted on the Mary Alice B. following its sinking. The lack of such efforts, combined with the wreck’s hazardous nature, has led to its continued designation as a danger to surface navigation. Mariners in the area are advised to exercise caution, and the site may be monitored for potential changes in the wreck’s position or condition.
CONCLUSION #
The sinking of the Mary Alice B. highlights the ongoing risks that shipwrecks pose to navigation, even decades after the initial incident. As a submerged and dangerous wreck in Lake Huron, it serves as a reminder to mariners of the importance of vigilance when navigating waters known for hidden hazards. The site of the Mary Alice B. remains a significant point of concern, particularly for vessels operating near Port Sanilac.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) Archive: US Coast Guard LNM Archive
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
The wreck site of the Mary Alice B. is located at Latitude 43°20’18″N and Longitude 82°26’24″W, at a depth of approximately 75 feet. Mariners and authorities are advised to be cautious in the vicinity due to the wreck’s potential hazard near the water’s surface.
