Shotline Diving

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Material Service US 228371

Explore the wreck of the Material Service, a steel self-unloading barge that capsized in 1936, now lying in Lake Michigan with remnants of its operational features.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Material Service
  • Type: Steel self-unloading sand & gravel barge
  • Year Built: 1929
  • Builder: Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length ~239.7 ft (73.1 m); Beam ~40.1 ft (12.2 m); Draft ~13.9 ft (4.2 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 1,077 GRT / 736 NRT
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 10.7 m / 35 ft
  • Location: Off South Chicago breakwater / Calumet Harbour, Lake Michigan
  • Coordinates: Approximate — near Calumet Harbour entrance
  • Official Number: 228371
  • Original Owners: Leatham, Smith-Putnam Navigation Company; leased to Material Service Corporation, Chicago
  • Number of Masts: None documented

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type

Steel self-unloading sand & gravel barge.

Description

Description

The Material Service was a steel-hulled self-unloading barge constructed in 1929 to haul sand and gravel from Lake Michigan to urban terminals in Chicago. Designed with a low-profile deck, she could transit under city bridges and employed a unique self-unloading conveyor system. Twin screws driven by diesel engines enabled maneuverability within narrow river systems.

History

History

Built for the Smith-Putnam Navigation Company and leased to the Material Service Corporation, she served the Chicago industrial region efficiently. On July 29, 1936, while returning from Lockport, Illinois, and approaching Calumet Harbor, a severe squall capsized the vessel. A wave swept her deck, shifting cargo and flooding the engine room. She sank in minutes, claiming 15 of the 22 crew aboard.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • July 29, 1936: The Material Service capsized during a severe squall, resulting in the loss of 15 crew members.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The wreck lies upright and relatively intact in shallow water. Salvage attempts in 1936 and 1945 failed. The site still displays structural features such as hatches, winches, and conveyor mechanisms.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck has been known since shortly after the sinking, but modern survey and documentation efforts are attributed to Indiana DNR and NOAA. A 3D model and photographic record exist via public resources. The site lies in navigable waters near a busy harbor entrance and is listed within Indiana’s protected underwater resources. Removal of artifacts and anchoring on the wreck are prohibited.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”material-service-us-228371″ title=”References & Links”]

Closing Summary

The Material Service remains a significant wreck in Lake Michigan, offering insights into early 20th-century maritime operations and the challenges faced by vessels in severe weather 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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

MaterialService by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Name: Material Service (often called “Material Service Barge”) Other Names: — (None documented) Official Number: 228371 Registry: United States Vessel Type: Steel self‑unloading sand & gravel barge Builder: Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Year Built: 1929 Dimensions: Length ~239.7 ft (73.1 m); Beam ~40.1 ft (12.2 m); Draft ~13.9 ft (4.2 m) Tonnage: 1,077 GRT / 736 NRT Cargo on Final Voyage: Sand/gravel (~2,000‑2,500 tons) Date of Loss: 29 July 1936 Location: Off South Chicago breakwater / Calumet Harbour, Lake Michigan Coordinates: Approximate — near Calumet Harbour entrance Depth: ~22‑38 ft (6.7–11.6 m); commonly cited as ~35 ft (10.7 m) Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Owners: Leatham, Smith‑Putnam Navigation Company; leased to Material Service Corporation, Chicago Crew: 22 aboard Casualties: 15 perished; 7 rescued

Description

The Material Service was a steel-hulled self-unloading barge constructed in 1929 to haul sand and gravel from Lake Michigan to urban terminals in Chicago. Designed with a low-profile deck, she could transit under city bridges and employed a unique self-unloading conveyor system. Twin screws driven by diesel engines enabled maneuverability within narrow river systems.

History

Built for the Smith-Putnam Navigation Company and leased to the Material Service Corporation, she served the Chicago industrial region efficiently. On July 29, 1936, while returning from Lockport, Illinois, and approaching Calumet Harbor, a severe squall capsized the vessel. A wave swept her deck, shifting cargo and flooding the engine room. She sank in minutes, claiming 15 of the 22 crew aboard.

Final Dispositions

The wreck lies upright and relatively intact in shallow water. Salvage attempts in 1936 and 1945 failed. The site still displays structural features such as hatches, winches, and conveyor mechanisms.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck has been known since shortly after the sinking, but modern survey and documentation efforts are attributed to Indiana DNR and NOAA. A 3D model and photographic record exist via public resources.

Notmars & Advisories

The site lies in navigable waters near a busy harbor entrance and is listed within Indiana’s protected underwater resources. Removal of artifacts and anchoring on the wreck are prohibited.

Dive Information

Access: Boat Entry Point: Hammond Marina, Indiana Conditions: Visibility 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m); low currents Depth Range: 22–38 ft (6.7–11.6 m) Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan; local EMS Permits: Not required for recreational diving Dive Support: Available via regional dive charters and shops

Crew & Casualty Memorials

Captain Charles D. Brown and 14 others perished. Survivors included John M. Johnson and Alfred Melby. No centralized memorial is documented; search FindAGrave or historical newspapers for individual listings.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“Jack, we’re going over,” Captain Brown was quoted as saying before the vessel rapidly capsized, according to survivor John M. Johnson. (usdeadlyevents.com)

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

Official Number 228371; insured value $200,000. A legal claim was filed post-loss but dismissed. Built and enrolled in Wisconsin.

Site Documentation & Imaging

Site imaged and assessed by NOAA and Indiana DNR. Full photo gallery and virtual tour available at in.gov.

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

References

  1. Indiana DNR Coastal Program – Material Service
  2. NOAA Risk Assessment – Material Service
  3. Wikipedia – MV Material Service

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: Material Service Other Names: None noted Official Number: 228371 Coordinates: Approx. near Calumet Harbor, Lake Michigan Depth: ~10.7 m (~35 ft) Location Description: Off Calumet Harbor entrance, Lake Michigan Vessel Type: Self-unloading bulk barge Material: Steel Dimensions: 239.7 ft × 40.1 ft × 13.9 ft; 1,077 GRT Condition: Intact, upright; dynamited at stern Cause of Loss: Capsized in storm; cargo shift Discovery Date: Not formally recorded Discovered By: Indiana DNR / NOAA Method: Dive survey, documentation Legal Notes: Insurance claim filed; wreck in protected waters Hazards: Boat traffic, visibility changes Permits Required: Not for diving; artifact removal prohibited
material-service-us-228371 1936-07-29 12:38:00