Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George W. Morley
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 193 ft (58.8 m); Beam: 34 ft; Depth of hold: 21 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,045 gt; 797 nt
- Location: Charity Island, near Evanston, IL
- Official Number: 85990
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled bulk freighter
Description
The George W. Morley was a substantial wooden bulk freighter launched in 1888. It was primarily used for transporting goods across Lake Michigan.
History
Built in 1888 at West Bay City, Michigan, the George W. Morley was registered in the U.S. and operated on Lake Michigan. The vessel was known for its wooden hull and significant cargo capacity.
Significant Incidents
- Event: Caught fire offshore in fog conditions while sailing empty (“light”) from Milwaukee to Chicago.
- Date & Time: Evening or night of December 5, 1897, approximately 100 yards off Greenwood Avenue, Evanston, IL.
- Outcome: Crew abandoned ship; the vessel stranded at Charity Island and burned to the waterline. No lives lost. Her engine was salvaged in October 1898.
Final Disposition
The George W. Morley was ultimately abandoned after the fire, with the hull remaining stranded on Charity Island. The vessel burned to the waterline, and the engine was salvaged nearly a year later.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the George W. Morley is confirmed, but specific details about its current condition and accessibility for divers are not documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-w-morley-us-85990″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the George W. Morley serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the late 19th century, particularly in challenging weather conditions. Further research into this wreck could provide valuable insights into maritime safety and historical navigation practices.
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.
(Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter, built 1888; lost December 5, 1897)
Vessel Overview
- Official number: 85990
- Built: 1888 at West Bay City, Michigan, hull #37
- Dimensions: 193 ft long, 34 ft beam, 21 ft depth; 1,045 gt, 797 nt
- Type: Wooden-hulled bulk freighter
- Registry: U.S., operated on Lake Michigan
Incident Details (December 5, 1897)
- Event: Caught fire offshore in fog conditions while sailing empty (“light”) from Milwaukee to Chicago
- Date & Time: Evening or night of December 5, 1897, approximately 100 yards off Greenwood Avenue, Evanston, IL
- Outcome: Crew abandoned ship; the vessel stranded at Charity Island and burned to the waterline. No lives lost. Her engine was salvaged in October 1898.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, greatlakesvesselhistory.com, uaschicago.org)
Summary
Launched in 1888, the George W. Morley was a substantial wooden bulk freighter. On December 5, 1897, she ignited near Evanston, IL, amid dense fog. The crew was rescued, and the ship grounded on Charity Island, eventually burning to the waterline. The hull remained stranded while her engine was removed nearly a year later—no casualties occurred.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
Further Research Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It’s Valuable | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Engine salvage documentation | May reveal technical specs of machinery | Port of Chicago salvage and U.S. Customs records |
| Fog navigation context | Adds maritime safety insight | NOAA historical weather logs; harbor fog warnings |
| Crew accounts and response | Provides human narrative | Nautical logbooks; Chicago-area newspaper reports |
| Photographic evidence | Could show fire aftermath or wreck location | Chicago maritime archives; Evanston historical society |
- Locate salvage reports or records on the engine removal in October 1898?
- Search Chicago and Evanston newspapers (Dec 1897) for crew accounts and incident descriptions?
- Retrieve NOAA’s weather data to confirm fog and visibility conditions that day?