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.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: None reported
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled railroad car ferry (unpowered barge)
Builder: Craig Shipbuilding Company, Toledo, Ohio
Year Built: 1895
Dimensions: 309.9 ft (94.5 m) x 44.2 ft (13.5 m) x 12 ft (3.7 m)
Tonnage: 1,548 gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: 28 railroad cars with iron ore, telegraph poles, lumber
Date of Loss: 29 September 1906
Location: Off Chicago Harbor entrance, Lake Michigan
Coordinates: Not publicly documented
Depth: Approx. 45 ft (13.7 m)
Home Port: Chicago, Illinois (presumed)
Owners: Lake Michigan Car Ferry Transportation Company
Crew: 6
Casualties: 3 dead, 3 survived
Description
Car Ferry No. 2 was a wooden-hulled rail barge designed to carry full-size railroad cars across Lake Michigan. Measuring just over 309 feet in length, it featured four interior rail tracks and a large open deck. Though unpowered, it had a full complement of steam-powered equipment for pumps, winches, and auxiliary systems. 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. It regularly made runs between Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and South Chicago, typically towed by company tugs. 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.
Final Dispositions
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.
Located By & Date Found
Exact rediscovery dates are not documented, but the site has been extensively mapped and modeled by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for preservation and education purposes.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted as of latest NOAA chart updates. Divers and mariners should verify with local agencies.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Chicago Harbor area
Conditions: Moderate visibility, occasional lake surge
Depth Range: 30–45 ft (9–13.7 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan; local EMS
Permits: Not required for recreational diving
Dive Support: Local Chicago dive shops and charter operators
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Crew list and burial locations not fully documented. See Find A Grave and historical archives for further research.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The vessel capsized in plain view of the harbor’s entrance. Several crew members clung to the upturned hull, but rescue was delayed by heavy seas.” — Chicago Tribune, Oct 1, 1906
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official U.S. registry number not located in accessible archives. Records may exist in U.S. Customs House maritime logs or regional insurance files.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The Indiana DNR has produced a full interactive 3D virtual tour and educational resources. The wreck has also been photographed by local divers and modeled using photogrammetry.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Indiana DNR Car Ferry No. 2 Virtual Tour
- Find A Grave
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- 3DShipwrecks – Car Ferry No. 2
References
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources. “Car Ferry No. 2 Virtual Wreck Tour.” in.gov
- Chicago Tribune archives, October 1906 reports.
- 3D Shipwrecks Virtual Wreck Tour
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Not publicly recorded
Depth: Approx. 45 ft (13.7 m)
Location Description: Lakebed off Chicago Harbor
Vessel Type: Unpowered rail ferry
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 309.9 x 44.2 x 12 ft; 1,548 GRT
Condition: Inverted, partially broken
Cause of Loss: Capsizing due to shifting cargo in storm
Discovery Date: Prior to 2000s (virtual model created later)
Discovered By: State dive & research teams
Method: Side-scan sonar and diver survey
Legal Notes: Site protected under state heritage law
Hazards: Sharp metal; limited visibility
Permits Required: No