Mears US 50624

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: MEARS
• Type: lumber barge
• Year Built: 1869
• Builder: David McDole
• Dimensions: 172 ft (52.4 m) X 28.6 ft (8.7 m); Depth of hold: 12.7 ft (3.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 410.66 tons
• Location: East of Tawas, Michigan
• Official Number: 50624
• Original Owners: Various owners including R. Prindiville, Parker, DeGraff & others
• Number of Masts: 3 (rigged for sailing as auxiliary support)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Originally designed as a steambarge, but never fitted with machinery. Operated as a lumber barge, typically towed by steamers.

Description

• Builder: David McDole
• Build Location: Lincoln, Michigan
• Hull: Wood
• Decks: 1
• Masts: 3 (rigged for sailing as auxiliary support)
• Length: 172 ft (52.4 m)
• Beam: 28.6 ft (8.7 m)
• Depth: 12.7 ft (3.9 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 410.66 tons
• Cargo Capacity: Approx. 400,000 board feet of lumber

History

• 1869, Sep 11: Launched, with original intent as a powered steambarge.
• 1870: Operating as MARS, 410.66 gross tons.
• 1871–1879: Remeasured to 421 gross tons; owned by R. Prindiville, Chicago, IL.
  • 1871, Jun 13: Sunk the bark MAITLAND in a collision at the Straits of Mackinac.
  • 1871, Aug 14: In tow of steamer EAST SAGINAW, struck schooner NEW LISBON at Sarnia in the St. Clair River.
  • 1871, Sep: Went ashore at Erie, PA, with a lumber cargo.
• 1880: Registered as US90460; 429.86 gross / 408.37 net tons.
• 1881: Rebuilt at Detroit; then owned by Parker, DeGraff & others.
• 1885–1887: Operated from Bay City, MI, under ownership of Vance & Keith, and later E.J. Vance; typically towed by the steamers BENTON and S.S. WILHELM.

Significant Incidents

• 1871, Jun 13: Collision with the bark MAITLAND, resulting in its sinking.
• 1871, Aug 14: Collision with the schooner NEW LISBON while in tow.
• 1871, Sep: Went ashore at Erie, PA, with a lumber cargo.

Final Disposition

On 27 November 1889, while in tow behind the steamer S.S. WILHELM along with the barge MIDNIGHT, the MEARS was caught in a severe gale on Lake Huron. She broke loose east of Tawas, Michigan, and was driven ashore where she broke apart. One crewmember was lost in the incident. The wreck was a total loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No confirmed modern dive or discovery of the wreckage has been documented. The remains likely lie scattered or buried near shore east of Tawas.

Resources & Links

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The MEARS exemplified a common transition vessel of the 19th century Great Lakes lumber trade — built as a steambarge but used primarily as a towed barge. Despite incidents during her operational life, she served nearly two decades before meeting her fate in a classic November gale. Her loss contributed to the recognition of the hazards of towing multiple barges in heavy weather without sufficient safety measures.