Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Martin Swain
- Type: Wooden wrecking/tug vessel
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Unknown (likely at a Great Lakes shipyard)
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Near Detour Passage, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Martin Swain was a wooden wrecking tug vessel engaged in salvage operations on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1881, the Martin Swain was primarily used for wreck-raising work. It met its demise in a fire while tied to a wreck site near Detour, Michigan.
History
The Martin Swain was involved in various salvage operations throughout its service life. Its final voyage was on December 17, 1898, when it caught fire, leading to its total loss.
Significant Incidents
- While tied to a wreck site overnight, the Martin Swain ignited—likely due to a fire in the engine room—rapidly becoming an uncontrollable blaze.
- The vessel burned down to the waterline, resulting in the boiler and machinery sinking—or floating free—as the superstructure was consumed.
- A portion of her wrecking outfit was affixed to the Martin Swain at the time, and, after the fire, a “raft of lumber” struck and further damaged the stricken vessel.
- The vessel was officially declared a total loss, and her enrollment certificate was surrendered at Port Huron on December 31, 1900.
Final Disposition
The Martin Swain was declared a total loss following the fire. Its remains are believed to be scattered in shallow waters near the original wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Expect scattered iron machinery, boiler remnants, twisted steel planking, and fastenings at the wreck site. The wooden superstructure remnants would be largely lost.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”martin-swain-1881″ title=”References & Links”]
The Martin Swain serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with wreck recovery operations in the late 19th century, particularly the risks posed by engine-room fires on wooden vessels.
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: Martin Swain
- Built: 1881 (likely at a Great Lakes shipyard)
- Type: Wooden wrecking/tug vessel engaged in salvage operations
- Final Voyage: Conducting wreck‑raising work near Detour, Michigan (gateway to Lake Huron)
- Loss Date: December 17, 1898
- Casualties: One crewman lost; others survived
- Damage Estimate: Total loss of approximately $15,000 (Facebook)
Incident & Circumstances
- While tied to a wreck site overnight, the Martin Swain ignited—likely due to a fire in the engine room—rapidly becoming an uncontrollable blaze.
- The vessel burned down to the waterline, resulting in the boiler and machinery sinking—or floating free—as the superstructure was consumed (Facebook).
- A portion of her wrecking outfit was affixed to the Martin Swain at the time, and, after the fire, a “raft of lumber” struck and further damaged the stricken vessel (Facebook).
- The vessel was officially declared a total loss, and her enrollment certificate was surrendered at Port Huron on December 31, 1900.
Archival Gaps & Research Needs
To produce a thorough technical and historical record, the following should be pursued:
- Construction Specifications: Shipyard, dimensions, tonnage details—finding enrollment documentation will be critical.
- Crew Manifest & Casualty Details: Identification of the deceased crewman and survivors through enrollment or casualty registers.
- Fire Origin and Response: Investigate whether the fire’s origin was recorded—engine stovepipe, boiler, or sparks—and follow-up logs of firefighting response.
- Salvage Records: Understand what salvage efforts took place post-fire (machinery, fittings, boiler recovery); review works by tug Michigan or other local vessels.
- Press & Official Coverage: Contemporary Port Huron–area newspapers likely carried detailed incident reports.
Wreck Site & Survey Potential
- Location: Near Detour Passage, Lake Huron—likely in shallow waters adjacent to the wreck originally being raised.
- Remains: Expect scattered iron machinery, boiler remnants, twisted steel planking, and fastenings; wooden superstructure remnants would be largely lost.
- Survey Approach:
- Remote Sensing: Side-scan sonar and magnetometer sweeps centered on the original wreck site coordinates.
- Diver/ROV Mission: To document machinery components and assess the impact of the wrecking gear’s involvement.
- Archival–Field Correlation: Correlate engine room layout with physical remains to confirm vessel identity.
Historical Significance
- The Martin Swain was a notable wrecking tug—engaged in raising sunken vessels—whose fiery demise illustrates occupational hazards of wreck recovery operations.
- The incident highlights the dangers of engine-room fires on wooden-hulled vessels, especially during salvage missions.
- Reconstructing her loss would add depth to understanding late-19th-century Great Lakes salvage technology, crew safety practices, and firefighting protocols.
Next Recommended Steps
- Archive Requests:
- Enrollments and crew manifests from Detroit or Buffalo Customs District archives
- Port Huron harbor and marine inquiry files (1898–1899)
- Newspaper Research:
- Port Huron Times, St. Ignace/Detour local press for December 1898–January 1899
- Salvage Operation Logs:
- Tug Michigan service records and wreck recovery documentation
- Survey Mission Planning:
- Collaborate with NOAA or State of Michigan maritime archaeologists to initiate sonar reconnaissance and ROV exploration