Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Car Ferry No. 2
- Type: Wooden-hulled railroad car ferry (unpowered barge)
- Year Built: 1895
- Builder: Craig Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, Ohio
- Dimensions: 309.9 ft (94.5 m) x 44.2 ft (13.5 m) x 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,548 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13.7 m / 45 ft
- Location: Off Chicago Harbor entrance
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Lake Michigan Car Ferry Transportation Company
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Car Ferry No. 2 was a wooden-hulled rail barge designed to carry full-size railroad cars across Lake Michigan. It was unpowered but equipped with steam-powered equipment for pumps, winches, and auxiliary systems.
Description
Measuring just over 309 feet in length, Car Ferry No. 2 featured four interior rail tracks and a large open deck. The vessel was reinforced with heavy timbers and iron tie rods to support extreme cargo loads.
History
Car Ferry No. 2 operated as part of the Lake Michigan Car Ferry Transportation Company’s efforts to link Wisconsin and Michigan rail lines with Chicago. On 29 September 1906, while carrying a heavy load of iron ore and other freight in 28 railcars, the ferry encountered gale conditions near Chicago Harbor. Improperly loaded cargo caused the vessel to list and ultimately capsize. It floated inverted for weeks.
Significant Incidents
- 29 September 1906: Capsized due to shifting cargo in storm conditions.
- 3 casualties reported; 3 crew members survived.
Final Disposition
After weeks adrift, Car Ferry No. 2 was towed into deeper water and partially demolished with dynamite by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in August 1907 to remove it as a hazard to navigation. The wreck settled in shallow water and remains mostly intact.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located off the Chicago Harbor entrance and is mostly intact, though it is inverted and partially broken. It is protected under state heritage law.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”car-ferry-no-2″ title=”References & Links”]
Divers should verify local conditions and regulations before diving. The site has been extensively mapped and modeled for preservation and educational purposes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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