Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Mary M

Explore the wreck of the Mary M, a wooden passenger steamer that sank in 1918 after striking a breakwater in Chicago harbor, with all passengers and crew surviving.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Mary M
  • Type: Wooden-hulled passenger steamer
  • Year Built: 1909
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Chicago harbor, near breakwater

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Passenger Steamer

Description

A small wooden passenger vessel designed to ferry passengers—likely across Lake Michigan or between Chicago and Michigan ports. Specific dimensions and engineering details are not currently documented in accessible sources.

History

Operated in or near Chicago harbor, carrying passengers and a small crew. On her final voyage, she had 138 passengers plus 8 crew members aboard, all of whom reached shore safely after the wreck.

Significant Incidents

  • Date & Location: Evening of July 28, 1918 — struck the Chicago harbor breakwater
  • Cause: Navigational collision—likely miscalculation or reduced visibility
  • Casualties: None—all 146 persons on board (138 passengers and 8 crew) survived, making their way to shore safely

Final Disposition

  • The vessel sank off the city, at or near the breakwater.
  • No known salvage, official Notices to Mariners, or subsequent site surveys.
  • Given her wooden construction and urban harbor location, it’s likely she was salvaged or cleared soon after sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is likely disturbed due to urban harbor activities, and no recent surveys have been documented.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-m” title=”References & Links”]

The sinking of Mary M in 1918 reflects a fortunate outcome: despite striking the Chicago harbor breakwater, all passengers and crew survived. Though she sank near a major port, details on her construction and subsequent salvage remain sparse. This vessel’s story offers insight into civilian maritime operations on Lake Michigan during WWI-era urban conditions.

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.

Wooden Passenger Steamer

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Vessel Type & Description

A small wooden passenger vessel designed to ferry passengers—likely across Lake Michigan or between Chicago and Michigan ports. Specific dimensions and engineering details are not currently documented in accessible sources.

Operational History

Operated in or near Chicago harbor, carrying passengers and a small crew. On her final voyage, she had 138 passengers plus 8 crew members aboard, all of whom reached shore safely after the wreck.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Incident & Casualties

  • Date & Location: Evening of July 28, 1918 — struck the Chicago harbor breakwater
  • Cause: Navigational collision—likely miscalculation or reduced visibility
  • Casualties: None—all 146 persons on board (138 passengers and 8 crew) survived, making their way to shore safely
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Disposition & Site Status

  • The vessel sank off the city, at or near the breakwater.
  • No known salvage, official Notices to Mariners, or subsequent site surveys.
  • Given her wooden construction and urban harbor location, it’s likely she was salvaged or cleared soon after sinking.

Sources & References

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“M” listings): notes collision at Chicago breakwater on July 28, 1918, no fatalities (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
  • South West Lake Michigan Shipwreck Project: confirms date, location, and striking of breakwater (silent-helm.com)

Research Gaps & Next Steps

  • Construction Details: Locate enrollment data in U.S. Merchant Vessel Registrations (circa 1909).
  • Local Press Coverage: Review Chicago newspapers (e.g., Chicago Tribune, late July – early August 1918) for eyewitness reports, rescue accounts, or salvage details.
  • Harbor Authority Records: Chicago Harbor Police and Army Corps (District of Chicago) may have logs on harbor accidents and vessel recoveries.
  • Technical Specs and Crew Manifests: Seek out builder’s archives or Coast Guard inspection records for passenger count, tonnage, and official registry.

Conclusion

The sinking of Mary M in 1918 reflects a fortunate outcome: despite striking the Chicago harbor breakwater, all passengers and crew survived. Though she sank near a major port, details on her construction and subsequent salvage remain sparse. This vessel’s story offers insight into civilian maritime operations on Lake Michigan during WWI-era urban conditions.

mary-m 1918-07-28 20:17:00