IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Marion L. Breck was a wooden schooner designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Built in 1858, the vessel had two masts and was constructed from wood, a common material for ships of that era. The schooner was involved in various cargo trades and had a significant operational history before its eventual wreck.
HISTORY:
The Marion L. Breck, launched in 1858 at Garden Island, Ontario, served for nearly 50 years before meeting its end. The schooner had a notable service life, experiencing multiple incidents and repairs throughout its operational years. In 1863, the vessel underwent a major rebuild by Henry Rooney at Garden Island, where it incorporated parts of the hull from the schooner William Penn, originally built in 1840.
Throughout its history, the Marion L. Breck encountered several significant events. In the fall of 1888, it went ashore in Georgian Bay but was successfully recovered by the following May. It was nearly lost again in 1894 near Sand Beach, Michigan, but was salvaged. The schooner also faced harsh winters, being trapped in ice near Tawas City, Michigan, during the winter of 1895-1896. Despite these incidents, the Marion L. Breck continued to operate until it finally wrecked in 1907.
On October 7, 1907, the Marion L. Breck ran aground on Bear’s Rump Shoal near Tobermory, Ontario. The vessel, carrying brick pieces at the time, was unable to be saved. Fortunately, the crew escaped unharmed, but the ship was considered a total loss. At the time of its wreck, the vessel was owned by John McGibbon.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The Marion L. Breck met its final fate on October 7, 1907, when it grounded and wrecked on Bear’s Rump Shoal near Tobermory in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The vessel broke up after hitting the rocks, and while the crew survived, the ship was lost. Its remnants now lie scattered across the seabed at depths ranging from the surface to 90 feet.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the Marion L. Breck.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the Marion L. Breck has been known since shortly after the vessel’s demise in 1907, with its remains scattered across the shoal near Bear Rump Island.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Buffalo News Article on the wreck
- Ship of the Month
- Artifact Auctions related to the wreck
KEYWORDS:
Marion L. Breck, Mary Breck, wooden schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, Tobermory, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipping.
CONCLUSION:
The Marion L. Breck, a schooner with a long and eventful history, ultimately succumbed to the unforgiving waters of Lake Huron. Its wreck now serves as a site for divers and historians to explore and reflect on the challenges faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes over a century ago. The scattered remains near Bear Rump Island stand as a testament to the ship’s storied past and the relentless forces of nature that led to its final voyage.
