Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Marine Cigar
- Type: Submarine
- Year Built: circa 1851
- Builder: Lodner D. Phillips, Michigan City, Indiana
- Dimensions: 40 ft (12.2 m) long; 14 ft diameter
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 50.3 m / 165 ft
- Location: Near Presque Isle, Pennsylvania
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Submarine
Description
Description
The Marine Cigar was a composite submarine featuring a wooden hull with possible iron reinforcement. It was equipped with glass viewing ‘bull’s-eyes’ in a cupola and a hinged bow for salvage tools and collision protection.
History
History
Built circa 1851, the Marine Cigar was the second experimental submarine by inventor Lodner D. Phillips. It was shipped to Lake Erie to attempt salvage operations on the steamer Atlantic, which was lost in 1852. The submarine conducted test dives, reportedly reaching depths of approximately 20 feet, although Phillips claimed it could dive up to 100 feet. During test dives off Port Hope, Lake Ontario, it sprang a leak and was towed to Ogdensburg and then Kingston, but was abandoned as unserviceable due to hull strain.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1851: Shipped to Lake Erie for salvage attempts on the Atlantic.
- Test dives revealed a leak, leading to its abandonment.
- In mid-October 1853, it was launched unmanned during a dive, suffered gear failure, and sank near the Atlantic wreck.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Marine Cigar was lost and abandoned on the lake floor after an unmanned dive in October 1853. No casualties occurred, and no salvage attempts were made.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is likely buried in sediment at a depth of approximately 165 feet. No confirmed artifacts have been discovered, but there is interest from divers exploring the Atlantic site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”marine-cigar” title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Marine Cigar represents an early attempt at submarine technology in North America. Its loss in Lake Erie during an unmanned dive marks it as one of the earliest submerged experimental craft in freshwater. The site remains largely unexplored, offering a unique opportunity for future research into early submarine design and technology.
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 & Construction
- Inventor/Builder: Lodner D. Phillips, Michigan City, Indiana
- Built: circa 1851 as the second experimental submarine by Phillips
- Construction: Composite—wooden hull with possible iron reinforcement; 40 ft long by 14 ft diameter, equipped with glass viewing “bull’s-eyes” in a cupola, and a hinged bow with a bulkhead for salvage tools and collision protection (JaySea Archaeology, Chicagology, JESerie)
- Propulsion: Likely hand-cranked screw propeller; he had patented a globe-joint steering device in 1852, though no proof it was used on this vessel
Operational History
- 1851: Shipped via railroad to Lake Erie, near Presque Isle, Pennsylvania, to attempt salvage of the steamer Atlantic (lost 1852) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Conducted test dives, reportedly reaching depths of ~20 ft; Phillips claimed it could go up to 100 ft (JaySea Archaeology)
- During test dives off Port Hope, Lake Ontario, Marine Cigar sprang a leak, causing it to settle by the deck before being towed to Ogdensburg and then Kingston—but by then hull was strained and abandoned as unserviceable (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Fate (After Mid‑October 1853)
- Launched again unmanned during a dive; suffered gear failure—the lift line fouled on rigging and snapped
- Submarine sank to the bottom near the Atlantic wreck—lost and abandoned on lake floor
- No casualties, no salvage attempted (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, JESerie)
Wreck Location & Condition
- Lake: Lake Erie, over the wreck of Atlantic, near Presque Isle (~165 ft depth) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Condition: Likely buried in sediment; no confirmed artifact discoveries—but interest has arisen from divers exploring the Atlantic site
Historical & Technological Significance
- Among the earliest submarines in North America, especially the first in the Great Lakes region
- Innovative design with salvage tools, bull’s-eye viewports, hinged bow bulkhead, and claimed steering advancements (JaySea Archaeology)
- Connected to the earliest deep-water exploration attempts among 19th-century American inventors
Research Opportunities & Recommendations
| Area | Action Recommended |
|---|---|
| Archival Records | Search for Lodner Phillips’ letters, patents (US Patent No. 9,389), and railway/shipping documents |
| Sonar Survey | Conduct side-scan around Atlantic wreck site to detect unusual cylindrical targets |
| Dive Investigation | Organize ROV dive to scan lake bottom at depth for remains or artifacts |
| Historical Press Coverage | Locate 1851–1853 newspaper reports (NY, PA, MI, ON)—e.g., Erie Gazette, Buffalo Courier |
| Comparative Analysis | Compare with other early subs (Whitefish, Baker) for structural and design context |
Summary
The Marine Cigar was an ambitious mid-19th-century submarine built by inventor Lodner Phillips. After initial tests and minor salvage attempts, it was ultimately lost in Lake Erie in an unmanned trial dive circa October 1853. It rests near the Atlantic wreck, making it one of the earliest submerged experimental craft in freshwater. The site remains unexplored and buried beneath sediment, presenting a rare opportunity to study early submarine technology.
marine-cigar 1853-10-18 16:54:00