Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Grace Murray
- Type: Wood-hulled, two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: 128 × 26 × 11 ft; gross 254 GRT, net 242 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 254 GRT
- Location: Detroit River, near Ecorse, MI
- Official Number: 10222
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Grace Murray was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, built in 1856. She was primarily used for cargo transport in the Detroit River corridor.
Description
The vessel measured 128 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 11 feet. It had a gross registered tonnage of 254 and a net registered tonnage of 242.
History
Grace Murray operated for 45 years, which is considered an unusually long service life for a wooden cargo vessel. Throughout her career, she likely transported various cargoes, including grain and general merchandise. Details regarding her original ownership and early career remain undocumented, but her longevity suggests she underwent periodic maintenance and possible refits.
Significant Incidents
- On May 12, 1901, the schooner caught fire, likely while moored or in the process of loading. No specific cargo is noted.
- The fire spread rapidly, destroying the vessel down to the waterline.
- Official registry lists her as “fire, none lost,” confirming no loss of life.
Final Disposition
The vessel was destroyed by fire at Ecorse, Michigan, on the Detroit River, resulting in a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The fire-degraded hull likely sank in shallow waters or collapsed alongside the riverbank. Potential remains include charred timbers, iron fastenings, and machinery fragments, if any.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”grace-murray-us-10222″ title=”References & Links”]
The Grace Murray serves as a significant example of mid-19th-century wooden schooner longevity and highlights the persistent risk of onboard fire in wooden vessels moored in populated waterways.
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