Marquette and Bessemer No. 2

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Marquette and Bessemer No. 2
• Type: Car Ferry
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Conneaut, Ohio to Port Stanley and Erieau, Ontario
• Original Owners: Marquette & Bessemer Dock & Navigation Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Car ferry used for transporting rail cars and coal across Lake Erie.

Description

The Marquette and Bessemer No. 2 was part of the Marquette & Bessemer Dock & Navigation Company, which was established in April 1903. This company was a joint venture between the Pere Marquette and Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroads, primarily aimed at transporting coal from Conneaut, Ohio to southern Ontario and Michigan markets.

History

The ferry service began with the Marquette & Bessemer No. 1, which was a collier built in 1903, while the No. 2 was utilized for rail car traffic. The service connected with the Pere Marquette Railway at Erieau and Port Stanley. However, by 1914, the Pere Marquette Railway’s interest in the operation began to wane, leading to financial difficulties for the M&B.

In 1915, the M&B No. 1 was leased to the Lake Erie Navigation Company, allowing it to carry coal from various ports until it was returned in 1930. The car ferry service to Erieau ceased in November 1927 due to storm damage, and the operation was ultimately abandoned in August 1932.

Significant Incidents

• 1914: Pere Marquette Railway did not renew its lease of the London & Port Stanley Railway.
• 1927: Storm damage led to the cessation of car ferry service to Erieau.
• 1932: Interstate Commerce Commission approved the abandonment of the M&B operation.

Final Disposition

After the abandonment of the service, both the Marquette & Bessemer No. 1 and No. 2 were sold. The Lake Erie Navigation Company continued operations with other vessels until the late 1960s when the coal trade diminished.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the Marquette and Bessemer No. 2 is not documented, and it is important to approach any historical site with respect and adherence to legal guidelines regarding artifact preservation.

Resources & Links

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As divers and historians, we encourage you to explore the rich maritime history of the Marquette and Bessemer No. 2 while practicing ethical diving. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories.