Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Marion Egan
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder: John Squires, Huron, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 134.8 ft (41.1 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 350 28/95 tons
- Location: 17 miles southeast of Thunder Bay Island
- Official Number: 7301
- Original Owners: Wiley M. Egan, Tyler, Brown & Co., Peter Taylor, John Demass, William Christie
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Marion Egan was a two-masted wooden schooner, commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo, particularly grain, across the region.
Description
Launched in 1861, the Marion Egan was a sizable schooner optimized for the grain trade, with a capacity of 16,000 bushels. Like many schooners of the time, her simple, efficient design made her a staple of Great Lakes commerce, capable of navigating the busy and often treacherous waterways of the region. She had one deck and was constructed from wood, reflecting the standard shipbuilding practices of mid-19th century Great Lakes vessels.
History
Originally owned by Wiley M. Egan of Chicago, Illinois, the Marion Egan made her first trip on May 14, 1861, and was enrolled in Chicago shortly after on May 20. Throughout her career, she was involved in several incidents and underwent multiple ownership changes and repairs, underscoring both the risks of Great Lakes navigation and the resilience of vessels during this period.
- 1862: Sprung her mainmast on Lake Erie.
- 1865: Damaged her centerboard on Lake Huron, highlighting the vessel’s ongoing exposure to the hazards of lake navigation.
- 1866: Owned by Tyler, Brown & Co., Chicago.
- 1870: Owned by Peter Taylor, Chicago.
In August 1873, the Marion Egan ran aground on Cove Island in Georgian Bay. Declared a wreck, she was sold on September 2, 1873, to John Demass of Detroit, Michigan. After being repaired in Detroit, she returned to the grain trade, running routes to Chicago. By March 30, 1874, she was owned by William Christie of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Significant Incidents
Collision with Wings of the Morning
In mid-October 1865, the Marion Egan collided with the schooner Wings of the Morning near Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Both vessels were carrying cargo when the collision occurred, reportedly due to stormy conditions. Following the collision, both ships went ashore. The Wings of the Morning sustained catastrophic damage, breaking her back and becoming a total loss. The Marion Egan, while damaged, was able to return to service after repairs.
Final Disposition
The Marion Egan sank in Lake Huron following a collision with the schooner E.R. Williams in 1875. No significant salvage operations were recorded, and the wreck remains submerged southeast of Thunder Bay Island.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Marion Egan have been issued.
Resources & Links
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The Marion Egan had an eventful career on the Great Lakes, marked by multiple incidents, ownership changes, and significant repairs. Despite surviving earlier accidents, including a grounding in Georgian Bay and a collision with the Wings of the Morning, the schooner ultimately succumbed to another collision in 1875, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. Her history reflects the dangers and challenges faced by 19th-century mariners navigating the busy and often perilous waters of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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