IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Marquette was a wooden barkentine, a three-masted vessel with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails on the remaining masts. It was designed for versatility and strength, making it suitable for the often harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. The vessel was primarily used for transporting cargo across the lakes, reflecting the robust shipbuilding practices of the mid-19th century.
HISTORY: #
The Marquette was built in 1856 in Newport (Marine City), Michigan, by James Bushnell. It was initially owned by Eber B. Ward of Detroit, Michigan, and was enrolled in Detroit on June 18, 1856, for Lake Superior trade. The ship’s early years were marked by multiple incidents, including a collision with the schooner Milwaukee at St. Helena, Lake Michigan, in November 1860, and a sinking after a collision with the A.J. Warner near Cheboygan, Michigan, in September 1862. Despite these challenges, the Marquette continued to serve various owners, undergoing repairs and remeasurements over the years. Its final owner was S.J. Perry of Chicago, Illinois.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
On November 20, 1867, the Marquette met its tragic end near Hope Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. While en route from Chicago to Collingwood with a cargo of 20,000 bushels of corn, the vessel was caught in a violent gale. The storm drove the Marquette aground, and despite the crew’s efforts, the ship ultimately sank. The exact coordinates of the wreck remain within the waters surrounding Hope Island, where it has become a site of interest for divers and maritime historians.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
- Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners are associated with the Marquette wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
- Discovery: The wreck of the Marquette has been known for many years, with its location near Hope Island being a popular site for exploration. However, specific details regarding the discovery or formal identification of the wreck have not been documented.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
PICTURES: #
KEYWORDS: #
Marquette, Hope Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Barkentine, Three-Masted Schooner, Shipwreck, Maritime History, Great Lakes.
CONCLUSION: #
The Marquette was a resilient vessel that served various owners across the Great Lakes during its 11-year career. Despite surviving multiple collisions and a sinking, the Marquette’s journey came to a tragic end in 1867 near Hope Island in Georgian Bay. Today, the wreck lies beneath 45 feet of water, a silent testament to the perils faced by those who navigated the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. The Marquette’s story continues to captivate divers and historians, serving as a poignant reminder of the region’s rich maritime heritage.
