Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Marblehead
- Type: Likely a wooden tug or small freighter
- Year Built: 1908
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie, probably operating out of Cleveland
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Marblehead is likely classified as a wooden tug or small freighter, although specific details regarding its type are not documented.
Description
The Marblehead was built in 1908 and operated primarily in Lake Erie. It was recorded as having foundered and sank with no crew aboard, indicating it was completely abandoned before its sinking.
History
The vessel was noted as likely operating from Cleveland, but there are no detailed records of its voyage or circumstances surrounding its abandonment. It was recorded as ‘Sunk and a total loss – no detail’ in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files.
Significant Incidents
- No casualties were reported in connection with the loss of the Marblehead.
- There is no official documentation of a weather event or collision at the time of its sinking.
Final Disposition
The Marblehead remains a vessel lost with minimal documentation. It likely succumbed to structural, mechanical, or weather-related failure, but without official accounts, the wreck remains unlocated and undocumented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the condition of the Marblehead wreck is unknown, and it has not been located. Further research is needed to determine its current state and accessibility for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”marblehead-1908″ title=”References & Links”]
In conclusion, the Marblehead is a vessel with a mysterious fate, lost in Lake Erie with little information available. Ongoing research may uncover more details about its history and final resting place.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Marblehead
- Build Year: 1908
- Type: Likely a wooden tug or small freighter (specific type not documented)
- Loss Date: June 14, 1920
- Location: Lake Erie, probably operating out of Cleveland
- Condition at Loss: Foundered and sank with no crew aboard—completely abandoned before sinking
Final Voyage & Loss
- Recorded as “Sunk and a total loss – no detail” in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“Vessel Omitted – Letter M/R_Site ’Marblehead’”)
- Noted as likely operating from Cleveland, but no detailed voyage or circumstance recorded beyond the abandonment
- No casualties; no official weather event or collision documented
Archival Gaps & Suggested Research Path
| Area | Proposed Research Tactics |
|---|---|
| Vessel Type & Registry | Check U.S. registry and inspection records (official no. if known) to confirm vessel dimensions and classification |
| Voyage Logs & Weather | Search Cleveland shipping logs and U.S. Weather Bureau records from June 1920 for storm or mechanical failure reports |
| Legal & Insurance Records | Track marine insurance claims filed in Cleveland courts or insurers around mid-1920 |
| Crew & Abandonment Details | Investigate press coverage (e.g., The Plain Dealer) for notes on abandoned vessels or salvage reports |
| Salvage Efforts & Location | Review Great Lakes Port Records for salvage operations or vessel recovery attempts using the name “Marblehead” in mid‑1920 |
Conclusion
Currently, the Marblehead remains a vessel lost with minimal documentation—no litany of cause beyond foundering without crew aboard and total loss. It likely succumbed to structural, mechanical, or weather-related failure, but without official accounts, the wreck remains unlocated and undocumented.
- Search the Interstate Commerce Commission ship logs or U.S. Vessel Registry for Marblehead?
- Locate press mentions in Cleveland’s 1920 newspapers (e.g., The Plain Dealer) for abandonment or salvage notices?
- Draft archival inquiries to marine insurance underwriters and Cleveland harbor authorities regarding this vessel?