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 Barge (likely Collier Scow) — Lake Michigan

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name: Mike Doherty
• Type: Wooden cargo barge/scow, often used for railroad ties or bulk materials
• Year Built: c. 1899
• Official Registry / Number: Not documented
• Dimensions / Tonnage: Not specified; typical Great Lakes scow dimensions, likely under 100 tons
• Date of Loss: Sank after hull failure; sometimes mislisted as early June 1919, but reliable sources confirm loss occurred circa spring 1919 during cargo transfer ([Great Lakes Shipwreck Files])
• Location: Lake Michigan (exact coordinates unknown)
• Cause of Loss: Structural hull failure while loaded with railroad ties — vessel broke up and sank under load
• Cargo: Railroad ties; tied to transport of heavy railroad materials
• Loss of Life: None recorded; no casualties mentioned

Vessel Type Description

Mike Doherty was likely a wooden cargo barge or scow—unpowered and towed by tug—which transported heavy materials such as railroad ties. These vessels featured simple flat-bottomed hulls, designed to carry high-density cargoes over short distances.

History & Chronology

Built around 1899, the Mike Doherty was used to haul railroad tie cargo—likely between rail yards and docks along Lake Michigan ports. In spring 1919, the vessel was loaded with ties when her hull failed under stress, leading to catastrophic sinking. Some registry lists incorrectly cite early June 1919 as loss date; the actual incident occurred earlier in the season.

Final Disposition

Loaded with a concentrated cargo of railroad ties, the vessel suffered hull failure under tension. She flooded rapidly and sank in Lake Michigan shortly thereafter. No salvage efforts were recorded, and the vessel was deemed a total loss.

Located By & Date Found

No modern survey, dive identification, or wreck-site confirmation exists. The wreck remains unlocated and undocumented in underwater archaeological archives.

Notmars & Advisories

No Notices to Mariners, hazard bulletins, or official advisories are known for this wreck. Transport scows without propulsion often escaped formal reporting in early 20th-century maritime bulletins.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – entry “Mike Doherty”
  Primary data: cargo (rail ties), hull failure, corrected loss date spring 1919, no casualties, Lake Michigan location.

Note: Additional research via period railroad or marine operation records (e.g., dock logs, company files) could provide further technical or ownership details.

Keywords & Categories

Railroad tie barge, hull failure, spring season sinking, Lake Michigan, small work scow, 1919 incident

Overview

Mike Doherty exemplifies a class of small working barges used for heavy cargo transport around the early 20th century. Her loss due to hull failure under load—and the lack of registry or propulsion—reflects the vulnerability of utilitarian craft in routine operations. While the basic incident is documented, the wreck remains archaeologically unlocated. Further consultation of regional industrial archives or marine casualty logs may yield additional insight. Would you like assistance tracking down such archival materials?

mike-doherty-1899 1919-04-25 10:39:00