Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: I. M. Weston
- Type: Small wooden excursion steamer
- Year Built: circa 1901
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Chicago Drainage Canal
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Small wooden excursion steamer (“steam-launch”), operating in the Chicago River and Drainage Canal system
Description
The I. M. Weston was a modest-sized excursion steamer serving Chicago’s booming river tourism in the early 1900s. She carried passengers on excursions up and down the Chicago River and beyond into the Drainage Canal, typically between city and suburban lock ports.
History
Built circa 1901, the I. M. Weston operated primarily in the Chicago River and Drainage Canal system, providing leisure excursions for passengers. The vessel was noted for its role in the local tourism industry during this period.
Significant Incidents
- On September 4, 1902, while laid up for repairs in the Chicago Drainage Canal, I. M. Weston caught fire and was completely destroyed by flames, sinking to a total loss while tied to a dock.
- No records indicate injuries or fatalities—this incident was mechanical/infrastructure rather than weather-related.
Final Disposition
The I. M. Weston was destroyed by fire while lying in the Chicago Drainage Canal, resulting in a total loss of the vessel.
Current Condition & Accessibility
While the I. M. Weston is believed to have sunk in canal sludge, possible remnants or artifacts might still exist. Survey and dive reports from the Chicago River trench could provide insights into the current condition of the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”i-m-weston-1901″ title=”References & Links”]
Despite its obscurity, the I. M. Weston reflects Chicago’s turn-of-century riverboat culture and the inherent fire risk of wooden, steam-powered launches. Further research could uncover more about its operational history and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
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.
Identification & Operation
- Type: Small wooden excursion steamer (“steam-launch”), operating in the Chicago River and Drainage Canal system
- Built: circa 1901
- Service: Carried passengers on excursions up and down the Chicago River and beyond into the Drainage Canal, typically between city and suburban lock ports (Shorpy, Wikipedia)
Final Incident & Loss
- On September 4, 1902, while laid up for repairs in the Chicago Drainage Canal, I. M. Weston caught fire and was completely destroyed by flames, sinking to a total loss while tied to a dock (Wikipedia)
- No records indicate injuries or fatalities—this incident was mechanical/infrastructure rather than weather-related
Archival References
- The 1902 List of Shipwrecks notes: “I. M. Weston – steamer destroyed by fire while lying in the Chicago Drainage Canal” (Wikipedia)
- Period images and accounts confirm she operated as a small passenger steamer commonly seen along the Canal (Shorpy)
Research Gaps & Proposed Next Steps
| Area | Approach |
|---|---|
| Exact build specifications & official number | Consult U.S. vessel registrations and inspection records (e.g., Steamboat Inspection Service) |
| Cause & response documentation | Search Chicago Tribune, Inter Ocean, and harbor logs (Sept 1902) for fire origin, dock damage, and fire-response details |
| Excursion operation history | Review period tourism ads and permit logs to reconstruct route, capacity, and clientele served |
| Insurance claims and ownership | Investigate Chicago maritime insurance records and vessel registry for loss settlement documentation |
| Physical remains or artifacts | Though sunk in canal sludge, possible remnants or artifacts might still exist—survey and dive reports from the Chicago River trench could be consulted |
Conclusion
The I. M. Weston was a modest-sized excursion steamer serving Chicago’s booming river tourism in the early 1900s. Her career ended suddenly on September 4, 1902, by a devastating fire in the Drainage Canal compound—no loss of life was recorded, but the vessel burned to a total loss. Despite obscurity, she reflects Chicago’s turn-of-century riverboat culture and the inherent fire risk of wooden, steam-powered launches.
- Conduct directed newspaper archive searches (Chicago/local),
- Draft archival inquiry letters to the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service,
- Or explore physical survey reports for the canal bed to check for surviving portions of the hull?