Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.D. Marshall
- Type: Wooden steam-powered canneler, later converted to sand-sucker/sand barge
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: J.C. Pereue at Martel Boatyard
- Dimensions: 154.5 ft × 33.5 ft; draft 12 ft; 531 GRT
- Registered Tonnage: 531 GRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 8.8 m / 29 ft
- Location: Approximately 300 yards offshore from Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion, Lake Michigan, Porter County, Indiana
- Official Number: 72580
- Original Owners: Independent Sand & Gravel Company at the time of loss
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.D. Marshall is classified as a wooden steam-powered canneler that was later converted into a sand-sucker or sand barge.
Description
The wreck of the J.D. Marshall lies upside-down on the bottom of Lake Michigan, approximately 300 yards offshore from Indiana Dunes State Park. The vessel features visible timber framing and ribs, with its steam engine boiler and condenser remaining in place. The scarcity of mussels on the wreck indicates the cold, fresh water preservation conditions.
History
The J.D. Marshall began service in August 1891, initially hauling timber and even towing the schooner Una with a significant load of green lumber. After 1910, the vessel was converted to transport sand and was acquired by the Independent Sand & Gravel Company. On June 9, 1911, the vessel sprang a leak while anchored offshore. On June 11, heavy weather caused a shift in the sand cargo, leading to the vessel capsizing near Indiana Dunes. The wreck floated near shore for several days, becoming a local landmark.
Significant Incidents
- June 9, 1911: The J.D. Marshall sprang a leak while anchored.
- June 11, 1911: The vessel capsized due to a storm that shifted its sand cargo.
- 11 crew members were aboard; 4 crew members lost their lives while others survived.
Final Disposition
The wreck settled upside-down on the bottom of Lake Michigan and remained undisturbed until salvage attempts began in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Parts such as the propeller and rudder were illegally removed but were later recovered and are now exhibited at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was rediscovered in 1979 by diver Gene Turner and was formally dedicated as Indiana’s first underwater nature preserve on September 30, 2013. The preserve spans about 100 acres and is marked seasonally with buoys. Anchoring and artifact removal are prohibited within the preserve, and mooring buoys are provided for navigation.
Resources & Links
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The J.D. Marshall serves as both a historic wreck and a protected underwater preserve. Its capsizing in 1911, subsequent salvage efforts, and transformation into a dive site provide valuable insights into early 20th-century commerce, maritime technology, and preservation ethics. The intact steam machinery and protected status make it an exceptional archaeological and recreational resource.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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