Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Ira O. Smith (1877)

Explore the wreck of the Ira O. Smith, a wooden freighter lost to fire in 1898, with all crew safely evacuated.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Ira O. Smith
  • Type: Wooden, propeller-driven bulk freighter or package steamer
  • Year Built: 1877
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Near Evanston, Illinois

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden, propeller-driven bulk freighter or package steamer

Description

The Ira O. Smith was built in 1877, but specific construction details and registry data are lacking. The vessel was engaged in commercial shipping, primarily operating between Milwaukee and Chicago.

History

The final voyage of the Ira O. Smith occurred on September 22, 1898, when it set sail from Milwaukee bound for Chicago. During this voyage, a fire broke out at sea near Evanston, Illinois. Despite the crew’s efforts to contain the fire, it spread rapidly, leading to the decision to run the vessel aground and abandon it.

Significant Incidents

  • Aboard the Ira O. Smith, fire broke out at sea near Evanston, and despite efforts by the crew, it could not be contained.
  • The burning vessel was eventually run aground and abandoned, but thankfully, no lives were lost—all crew members were rescued safely.
  • The date is confirmed via the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files list under “M” (September 22, 1898, Evanston incident).

Final Disposition

  • The vessel was destroyed by fire, later sinking or being dismantled near shore after grounding.
  • The engine was reportedly salvaged in October 1898, indicating at least partial recovery efforts.
  • No formal salvage of the wreck itself is recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Ira O. Smith is believed to have been destroyed by fire, with reports indicating it may have sunk or been dismantled after grounding. No formal salvage operations have been recorded for the wreck itself.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”ira-o-smith-1877″ title=”References & Links”]

The Ira O. Smith succumbed to a catastrophic fire on September 22, 1898, off Evanston, Illinois. While the ship was lost, all crew survived, and the engine was later salvaged. The tragedy underscores the fire risk inherent to wooden steamers and spotlights recovery priorities in the Great Lakes maritime industry.

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 1877 – Lost September 22, 1898

Identification & Voyage Context

  • Type: Wooden, propeller-driven bulk freighter or package steamer
  • Built: 1877 (details lacking; registry data not located)
  • Final Voyage: September 22, 1898, sailing out of Milwaukee, bound for Chicago
  • Location of Incident: Near Evanston, Illinois, Lake Michigan
  • Cargo: Not documented; “none” reported at time of fire

Incident & Casualties

  • Aboard the Ira O. Smith, fire broke out at sea near Evanston, and despite efforts by the crew, it could not be contained.
  • The burning vessel was eventually run aground and abandoned, but thankfully, no lives were lost—all crew members were rescued safely (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Find A Grave).
  • The date is confirmed via the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files list under “M” (September 22, 1898, Evanston incident) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Post-Fire Impact & Final Disposition

  • The vessel was destroyed by fire, later sinking or being dismantled near shore after grounding.
  • The engine was reportedly salvaged in October 1898, indicating at least partial recovery efforts (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • No formal salvage of the wreck itself is recorded.

Significance & Broader Themes

  • Boiler and flammable cargo hazards: Fire aboard wooden steamships remains a common and deadly risk in late 19th-century Great Lakes operations.
  • Successful abandonment: The safe evacuation of the crew demonstrates effective emergency procedures despite a total vessel loss.
  • Salvage culture: Engine recovery reflects maritime industrial practices—valuing reusable machinery, even when hulls were unsalvageable.

Archival & Research Footprints

Primary Sources

Next-Step Research Suggestions

  1. Maritime Registry Search: Determine build specifications, ownership, and official number from 1877–1898 registries (Chicago & Milwaukee archives).
  2. Press Archives: Examine September–October 1898 issues of Chicago Tribune and Evanston Review for fire and grounding accounts.
  3. Salvage Records: Investigate salvage company documents or port authority logs pertaining to October 1898 engine recovery.
  4. Site Condition: With the vessel grounded near Evanston, shallow wreckage might persist—potential for archaeological or dive-site reconnaissance.

Conclusion

The Ira O. Smith succumbed to a catastrophic fire on September 22, 1898, off Evanston, Illinois. While the ship was lost, all crew survived, and the engine was later salvaged. The tragedy underscores the fire risk inherent to wooden steamers and spotlights recovery priorities in the Great Lakes maritime industry.

ira-o-smith-1877 1898-09-22 14:26:00