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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-d-marshall-us-72580″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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 & Site Information
- Name: J.D. Marshall (also referred to as JD Marshall)
- Built: 1891 at South Haven, Michigan (Martel Boatyard, builder J.C. Pereue)
- Vessel Type: Wooden steam-powered canneler later converted to a sand-sucker/sand barge
- Official Number: 72580
- Dimensions: 154.5 ft × 33.5 ft; draft 12 ft; 531 GRT
Final Loss Details
Date Lost: June 11, 1911
Location: Approximately 300 yards offshore from Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion, Lake Michigan, at Porter County, Indiana
Depth: ~25–29 feet (7.6–8.8 m)
Cause of Loss: Sprung leak, anchored at evening; storm caused sand cargo shift, led to capsize
Crew & Casualties: 11 aboard; 4 crew lost, others survived
History & Final Voyage
The J.D. Marshall began service in August 1891, hauling timber—once towing the schooner Una with 602,000 ft of green lumber (in.gov). After 1910, she was converted to transport sand, acquired by the Independent Sand & Gravel Company. On June 9, 1911, she sprang a leak, anchored offshore; on June 11, heavy weather shifted her sand cargo, capsizing her near Indiana Dunes. The wreck floated near shore for days, becoming a local landmark.
(underwaterscience.indiana.edu)
Final Disposition
The wreck settled upside-down on the bottom and was undisturbed until divers began salvage attempts in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Parts like the propeller and rudder were illegally removed, but later recovered and are now exhibited at Indiana Dunes State Park.
(underwaterscience.indiana.edu)
Located By & Date Found
Approximately rediscovered in 1979 by diver Gene Turner. The site was formally dedicated as Indiana’s first underwater nature preserve on September 30, 2013, spanning about 100 acres and marked seasonally with buoys; GPS buoys listed by DNR (in.gov).
Notmars & Advisories
Anchoring and artifact removal are prohibited within the preserve. Mooring buoys are provided. Seasonal chart updates reflect the boundary; navigation by small vessels is permitted with restrictions.
(in.gov)
Points of Interest (for divers/historians)
- Upside-down hull with visible timber framing and ribs
- Steam engine boiler and condenser remain in place
- Scarcity of mussels indicates cold, fresh water preservation
- Salvaged propeller and rudder now displayed at park
Resources & Links
- IN.gov Lake Michigan Coastal Program – FAQ and preserve details (underwaterscience.indiana.edu, in.gov)
- Center for Underwater Science – historical site & dive guide (underwaterscience.indiana.edu)
- South Shore CVA & Bloomingtonian overview (southshorecva.com)
- IN.gov 3D Wreck Tour & structural plan (in.gov)
- HMDB historical marker summary (hmdb.org)
Conclusion
The J.D. Marshall is both a historic wreck and a protected underwater preserve. Her capsizing in 1911, subsequent salvage, and restoration into a dive site offer insights into early 20th-century commerce, maritime technology, and preservation ethics. The intact steam machinery and protected site make her an exceptional archaeological and recreational resource.