Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Ann (formerly Ida)
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 52 tons
- Location: Off Marblehead, Ohio
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: 16856
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden scow-schooner, primarily used for transporting heavy bulk materials.
Description
Description
The Mary Ann, originally named Ida, was a wooden scow-schooner built in 1855. It was primarily used for hauling stone, essential for harbor infrastructure.
History
History
The Mary Ann was built in St. Catharines, Ontario, and was renamed in 1866. It played a significant role in the transportation of heavy materials until its loss in 1870.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Lost on July 1, 1870, due to a sudden squall that caused it to drive onto submerged reefs.
- All crew members survived the incident.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Mary Ann was declared a total loss after being wrecked by storm damage. The wreck is reported to be berilled and broken apart, likely in shallow water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
No structural remains of the Mary Ann are recorded as surviving, and no navigational hazards were subsequently marked.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-ann-ida-us-16856″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The story of the Mary Ann highlights the risks faced by small workboats in storm-prone Lake Erie. While no remains are documented, its history contributes to the understanding of mid-19th-century maritime practices.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: Mary Ann (formerly Ida; renamed in 1866)
- Built: 1855 at St. Catharines, Ontario
- Type: Wooden scow‑schooner
- Official Number: 16856
- Tonnage: 52 tons
- Lost: July 1, 1870
- Location: Off Marblehead, Ohio (Lake Erie)
- Cargo: Stone
- Casualties: None — all crew survived according to records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
Bound from Marblehead, OH, carrying stone, the Mary Ann anchored offshore at her destination. A sudden squall struck, ripping away her anchor lines. Unable to regain position, she drove onto submerged reefs, bilged, and broke up—declared a total loss.
No crew members perished; all were saved. The loss is officially recorded as “wrecked” due to storm damage (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Just off shore from Marblehead harbor
- Wreck State: Berilled and broken apart, likely in shallow water. No structural remains are recorded as surviving, and no navigational hazards were subsequently marked.
Sources & Documentation
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files “M” list — details her build, tonnage, loss date, cargo, location, and survival outcome (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Area | Suggested Research |
|---|---|
| Build Records | Examine St. Catharines or Port Dalhousie ship registers (1855) for details on builder, dimensions, and ownership |
| Local Coverage | Search July 1870 issues of Sandusky Register, Cleveland Plain Dealer, or Toledo Blade for eyewitness or crew interviews |
| Crew & Ownership | Review customs house records at Marblehead for crew lists and owner details circa 1870 |
| Site Survey | Conduct a side-scan sonar and shallow-diver survey near Marblehead breakwater to identify any remaining wreckage or stone cargo deposits |
Historical & Archaeological Relevance
As a mid-19th‑century scow‑schooner, the Mary Ann played a vital role in hauling heavy bulk materials like stone—essential for harbor infrastructure. Her loss following a sudden squall exemplifies the persistent risk storm-prone Lake Erie harbors posed to small workboats. While no remains are documented, her story can inform studies on stone-hauling schooners, anchoring practices, and accident patterns of the era.
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