Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Flint & Pere Marquette #1
- Type: Wooden-hulled package freighter (passenger/merchandise)
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan shoreline, likely near Ludington or Manistee
- Official Number: 11882
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Flint & Pere Marquette #1 was a wooden-hulled package freighter designed for both passenger and merchandise transport. It was one of the first two “Black Boat” passenger/freight propellers built by the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway.
Description
The vessel was built in 1882 in Detroit, Michigan, and was notable for its role in early steam navigation on the Great Lakes. It was primarily used for transporting goods and passengers across Lake Michigan.
History
Flint & Pere Marquette #1 had a brief service history, operating primarily in the late 19th century. It was involved in the transportation of general merchandise and passengers until its loss in December 1884.
Significant Incidents
Significant incidents related to Flint & Pere Marquette #1 include:
- Grazed the lake bottom in heavy waves, leading to water ingress.
- Bilge leakage extinguished the furnaces, disabling the steam engine.
- Drifted ashore due to loss of power, resulting in hull damage and total loss.
Final Disposition
The vessel was reported to have taken on water and subsequently grounded, suffering extensive structural damage. No fatalities occurred, as all passengers and crew were rescued by nearby vessels.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is presumed to be in shallow waters along the Michigan shoreline, with potential remains including wood wreckage, iron fasteners, and machinery remnants embedded in beach sediment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”flint-pere-marquette-1-us-11882″ title=”References & Links”]
Flint & Pere Marquette #1 serves as a significant historical example of the challenges faced by early steam vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during winter storms.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Flint & Pere Marquette #1
- Official No.: 11882
- Built: 1882, Detroit, Michigan — one of F&PM’s first two “Black Boat” passenger/freight propellers
- Type: Wooden-hulled package freighter (passenger/merchandise)
- Loss Date: December 31, 1884
- Last Voyage: Likely en route during a winter storm, carrying general merchandise
- Final Fate: Took on water (“kissed the bottom”) in heavy seas, causing her engine fires to extinguish; she drifted into shallow waters where she grounded and was pounded, suffering heavy structural damage
Incident & Circumstances
According to Great Lakes shipping logs:
- She grazed the lake bottom in heavy waves and started taking on water
- The bilge leakage quenched her furnaces, disabling the steam engine
- With no power, currents carried her ashore, where waves smashed her hull—making her a total loss
No fatalities were reported; all passengers and crew were rescued by the steamer Manistee or other nearby vessels.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Exact Loss Location – unspecified; likely along Lake Michigan shoreline near Ludington or Manistee
- Passenger & Crew Records – identifiable through Customs district ledgers and F&PM ship census
- Cargo Manifest Detail – holds general merchandise; specifics may come from company shipping records
- Storm & Weather Data – late-December meteorological archives could detail conditions causing the leak
- Salvage/Inquiry Materials – local press, harbor commission documents, marine court filings
Wreck & Field Survey Feasibility
- Probable Wreck Area: Shallow exercise grounds; likely north Michigan shoreline
- Remains: Wood wreckage, iron fasteners, machinery remnants may still be embedded in beach sediment
- Survey Strategy:
- Use side-scan sonar and magnetometer across likely harbor grounds
- Shoreline reconnaissance dives or beach surveys for structural debris
- Historical chart review to pinpoint the aggregate grounding area
Significance
- Among the earliest F&PM “Black Boat” class, this ship illustrates the challenges of winter steam navigation on Lake Michigan
- Her loss due to engine incapacitation makes for a cautionary tale in maritime risk studies of steam-era vessels
- Locatable wreck remains may enrich knowledge of early F&PM freighters’ hull structure and coal-fired engine systems
Next Steps
- Archive Requests
- F&PM company logs and passenger manifests for 1884 voyages
- U.S. Customs/Coast Guard enrollment records for #11882
- Newspaper Search
- Lake Michigan ports’ press archives (Ludington, Manistee, Milwaukee) from late December 1884
- Weather Reconstruction
- Central U.S. weather board logs for December 1884 Great Lakes storm data
- Field Survey Planning
- Coordinate with Michigan Underwater Preserve or Great Lakes archaeologists for sonar scans and wreck documentation