Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: MARY N. BOURKE
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: Thomas Nester, Baraga, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 219 ft (66.7 m); Beam: 35 ft (10.7 m); Depth of hold: 15.9 ft (4.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 920 tons; Net Tonnage: 874 tons; Cargo Capacity: 1,250,000 feet of lumber or 2,600 tons
- Location: Pine River, St. Ignace, Michigan, St. Martin’s Bay
- Original Owners: W.A. Bourke & Co.; D.C. Parson, Detroit (by 1914)
- Number of Masts: Originally four masts, reduced to two around 1909
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
Description
The MARY N. BOURKE was modeled after the schooner-barge THOMAS NESTER, designed for the Great Lakes lumber and bulk freight trade. With a substantial cargo capacity, it was well-suited for its role in the region’s thriving lumber industry.
History
Construction and Design: Built in 1889 by Thomas Nester, the vessel was designed for durability and efficiency. It operated primarily as a schooner-barge, towed by the steamer SCHOOLCRAFT and involved in transporting lumber and bulk goods throughout the Great Lakes.
Service Life (1889–1914): The MARY N. BOURKE was heavily involved in the lumber trade until its loss in 1914.
Significant Incidents
Final Incident (September 26, 1914):
- While docked at Peter’s Lumber Dock in Pine River, a fire broke out in the hold.
- The crew of six escaped without injury.
- The vessel burned to the waterline, destroying the dock and a significant pile of lumber.
Final Disposition
Cause of Loss: Fire; details of its origin remain unknown.
Fate of the Vessel: Destroyed by fire and rendered a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the MARY N. BOURKE serves as a reminder of the hazards faced by wooden vessels in the lumber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-n-bourke” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
This report provides a comprehensive account of the MARY N. BOURKE’s operational history and tragic loss, preserving its legacy within the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
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.
SHIPWRECK REPORT: MARY N. BOURKE
Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
Dimensions:
- • Length: 219 ft (66.7 m)
- • Beam: 35 ft (10.7 m)
- • Depth: 15.9 ft (4.8 m)
- Tonnage:
- • Gross Tonnage: 920 tons
- • Net Tonnage: 874 tons
- • Cargo Capacity: 1,250,000 feet of lumber or 2,600 tons
Location: Pine River, St. Ignace, Michigan, St. Martin’s Bay
Incident Date: September 26, 1914
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- • Name: MARY N. BOURKE
- • Builder: Thomas Nester, Baraga, Michigan (1889)
- • Master Carpenter: H.L. Maynard, Milwaukee
- • Original Owner: W.A. Bourke & Co.
- • Later Owner: D.C. Parson, Detroit (by 1914)
HISTORY
Construction and Design:
The MARY N. BOURKE was modeled after the schooner-barge THOMAS NESTER, a durable and efficient design for the Great Lakes lumber and bulk freight trade. With four masts (later reduced to two around 1909) and a substantial cargo capacity, it was well-suited for its role in the region’s thriving lumber industry.
Service Life (1889–1914):
The vessel operated as a schooner-barge, towed primarily by the steamer SCHOOLCRAFT, along with the barge THOMAS NESTER. It was heavily involved in transporting lumber and bulk goods throughout the Great Lakes.
Final Incident (September 26, 1914):
• Event:
• While docked at Peter’s Lumber Dock in Pine River, St. Martin’s Bay, a fire broke out in the hold.
• The crew of six, alerted by smoke, managed to escape without injury.
• Outcome:
• The MARY N. BOURKE burned to the waterline.
• The fire also destroyed the dock and a significant pile of lumber.
FINAL DISPOSITION
• Cause of Loss: Fire; details of its origin remain unknown.
• Fate of the Vessel: Destroyed by fire and rendered a total loss.
SIGNIFICANCE
The destruction of the MARY N. BOURKE highlights the hazards faced by wooden vessels in the lumber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fires were a persistent danger, especially when docked near combustible materials like lumber. Despite the risks, schooner-barges like the MARY N. BOURKE were critical to the economy of the Great Lakes region, transporting essential goods and materials.
NOTES
• Ownership at Time of Loss:
• D.C. Parson, son of Captain Joseph Parsons, was the owner at the time of the fire.
• Modifications: The vessel’s reduction from four masts to two reflects its adaptation to changing operational needs.
REFERENCES & LINKS
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Ships
This report provides a comprehensive account of the MARY N. BOURKE’s operational history and tragic loss, preserving its legacy within the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
mary-n-bourke 1914-09-26 07:48:00