Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dot (formerly Mary Merritt)
- Type: Wooden schooner or schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder: St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: null
- Depth at Wreck Site: 106 m / 350 ft
- Location: Lake Superior, off Grand Marais, Michigan
- Coordinates: unknown
- Official Number: null
- Original Owners: null
- Number of Masts: null
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner or schooner-barge, primarily used for transporting iron ore.
Description
The Dot, originally named Mary Merritt, was a wooden vessel built in 1865. It was designed for cargo transport, specifically iron ore, and was under tow when it sank.
History
Built in St. Catharines, Ontario, the Dot had a service history typical of the era, engaging in the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. It was towed by the steam barge M.M. Drake at the time of its loss.
Significant Incidents
- August 25, 1883: While under tow by M.M. Drake, Dot began taking on water during a violent storm. The captain signaled distress, and all crew members were rescued by Drake before Dot sank.
Final Disposition
Dot sank rapidly in deep water, now believed to be over 350 feet deep. It was declared a total loss, with no salvage attempted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck remains undiscovered and is believed to lie at around 350+ feet of water off Grand Marais. No physical surveying has been reported, and her remains have not been documented or confirmed by modern divers or researchers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dot-ex-mary-merritt” title=”References & Links”]
This incident highlights the dangers of late-summer iron ore tows on Lake Superior, particularly for wooden hulls susceptible to storm damage. The M.M. Drake, known for its history of towing heavy vessels, played a crucial role in rescuing the crew of Dot.
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.
(built 1865; lost August 25, 1883)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dot (formerly Mary Merritt), Canadian-built
- Year Built: 1865 in St. Catharines, Ontario
- Vessel Type: Wooden schooner or schooner-barge
- Cargo at Loss: Iron ore (loaded at Marquette, Michigan)
- Loss Date: August 25, 1883
- Location: Lake Superior, off Grand Marais, Michigan
- Tow Vessel: Steam barge M.M. Drake
Circumstances of Loss
While under tow by M.M. Drake, Dot began taking on water during a violent storm. Her captain signaled distress, and Drake maneuvered alongside and rescued all crew members. Moments later Dot suddenly sank and disappeared beneath the waves.
Casualties
- Crew: all survived; no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
- Dot sank rapidly in deep Lake Superior water (now over 350 feet deep).
- She was declared a total loss—no salvage attempted.
Wreck Location
- The wreck remains undiscovered but is believed to lie at around 350+ feet of water off Grand Marais.
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Dot (ex‑Mary Merritt) |
| Built | 1865, St. Catharines, Ontario |
| Vessel Type | Schooner (transporting iron ore) |
| Cargo | Iron ore |
| Loss Date | August 25, 1883 |
| Loss Location | Lake Superior, off Grand Marais, MI |
| Tow Vessel | Steam barge M.M. Drake |
| Cause | Took water in storm; sank during rescue |
| Crew & Casualties | All rescued; no fatalities |
| Wreck Condition | Deep water; presumed intact beneath ~350′ |
Notes & Context
- The M.M. Drake had a notable history of towing heavy bulk vessels and rescuing crews in distress. On this occasion, she again aided lives but saw her consort lost beneath the waves.
- The incident is historically significant as an example of the dangers of late-summer iron ore tows on Lake Superior—especially when storm damage overwhelmed wooden hulls.
- Because Dot lies in deep water and no physical surveying has been reported, her remains have not been documented or confirmed by modern divers or researchers.
If you’d like similar profiles for other vessels towed by Drake, help locating dive reports, or investigation into registry/ownership records, I’m happy to continue.
dot-ex%e2%80%91mary-merritt 1883-08-25 21:17:00