Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Marquis Roen US 221243

Explore the remains of the Marquis Roen, a wooden freighter lost to fire in 1932, with a rich history and a tragic end.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Marquis Roen
  • Type: Wooden-hulled propeller freighter
  • Year Built: 1921
  • Builder: Ranger & Roen shipyard, Charlevoix, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 84 × 24 × 7 ft; 97 GRT / 66 NRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 97 GRT / 66 NRT
  • Location: Saginaw River at Bay City, Michigan
  • Official Number: 221243

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden-hulled propeller freighter (small “package” freighter)

Description

The Marquis Roen was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter built in 1921. It was designed for carrying cargo on the Great Lakes, specifically as a small package freighter.

History

The vessel was constructed at the Ranger & Roen shipyard in Charlevoix, Michigan. It served in various capacities until its loss in 1932.

Significant Incidents

  • Date Lost: 7 December 1932
  • Location: Sunk by fire in the Saginaw River at Bay City, Michigan (Lake Huron)
  • Cause of Loss: Caught fire amidships; gutted by flames
  • Cargo & Crew: None reported; no fatalities

Final Disposition

The vessel burned out, leaving only her charred hull behind. She was subsequently used as a barge for a time, but plans to rebuild her were abandoned. The remaining hulk was later left to decay on the riverbank until it was finally incinerated in the 1950s.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil return. The burnt-out hull remained visible at the shrink of the Saginaw River, later removed or burned away. No divers or underwater surveys exist.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”marquis-roen-us-221243″ title=”References & Links”]

Marquis Roen, launched in 1921 at Charlevoix, served as a small wooden freighter until 7 December 1932, when she was gutted by fire at Bay City’s Saginaw River docks. Although her hull survived for a time as a barge, efforts to rebuild her were abandoned. Eventually, the remains were burned and cleared—leaving no archeological trace.

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

Final Voyage & Loss

Final Disposition

The vessel burned out, leaving only her charred hull behind. She was subsequently used as a barge for a time, but plans to rebuild her were abandoned. The remaining hulk was later left to decay on the riverbank until it was finally incinerated in the 1950s (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. The burnt-out hull remained visible at the shrink of the Saginaw River, later removed or burned away. No divers or underwater surveys exist.

Notations & Advisories

No navigational markers or chart warnings indicate the former site. Changes in the industrial waterfront and dredging activities likely removed any remaining structure.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

Marquis Roen, launched in 1921 at Charlevoix, served as a small wooden freighter until 7 December 1932, when she was gutted by fire at Bay City’s Saginaw River docks. Although her hull survived for a time as a barge, efforts to rebuild her were abandoned. Eventually, the remains were burned and cleared—leaving no archeological trace.

marquis-roen-us-221243 1932-12-07 12:07:00