Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mineral City
- Type: Wooden single-deck propeller vessel
- Year Built: 1895
- Builder: William Dulac
- Dimensions: Originally 70.4 ft × 16 ft × 5.3 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 57.66 GRT / 28.83 NRT
- Location: Near the former mouth of Chicago’s Ogden Slip
- Official Number: US 92639
- Original Owners: Berton J. Dulac, Thomas Young
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden single-deck propeller vessel.
Description
Description
The Mineral City was a modest wooden propeller steamer built in 1895, later modified for larger service, and ultimately abandoned and scuttled near Chicago’s Ogden Slip in 1931. Though unremarkable in scale, she represents a common vessel class vital to early Great Lakes regional commerce.
History
History
- Original Owner: Berton J. Dulac, Mt. Clemens
- 1919: Underwent a refit (details unspecified)
- 1930: Two-deck conversion recorded; new dimensions 84′ × 17′ × 5′; same tonnage; owned by Thomas Young, Chicago.
- Served with Chicago–Michigan river transport fleet, likely hauling light freight or passengers.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1931: Abandoned in Chicago’s Ogden Slip, later scuttled in Lake Michigan as a disposal measure. No survivors lost; considered obsolete by then.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Mineral City was abandoned in 1931 and subsequently scuttled in Lake Michigan. The vessel was deemed obsolete at the time of her scuttling.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known dive expeditions or surveys have been conducted on the wreck. It is possible that the wreck has been broken up for salvage or obscured by silt and harbor fill.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mineral-city-us-92639″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Mineral City represents a significant aspect of Great Lakes maritime history, showcasing the lifecycle of small wooden vessels from construction to abandonment. Her wreck may still lie undiscovered under harbor sediments, presenting opportunities for maritime heritage exploration.
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.
Construction & Specifications
- Built: 1895 at Mt. Clemens, Michigan by William Dulac
- Type: Wooden single-deck propeller vessel
- Engine: Steeple-compound steam engine, cylinders 7″ & 14″ × 12″
- Dimensions: Originally 70.4′ × 16′ × 5.3′
- Tonnage: 57.66 GRT / 28.83 NRT
Ownership & Service History
- Original Owner: Berton J. Dulac, Mt. Clemens
- 1919: Underwent a refit (details unspecified)
- 1930: Two-deck conversion recorded; new dimensions 84′ × 17′ × 5′; same tonnage; owned by Thomas Young, Chicago (Great Lakes Vessel Files).
- Served with Chicago–Michigan river transport fleet, likely hauling light freight or passengers
Final Disposition
- 1931: Abandoned in Chicago’s Ogden Slip, later scuttled in Lake Michigan as a disposal measure. No survivors lost; considered obsolete by then
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Likely near the former mouth of Chicago’s Ogden Slip, a disposal yard for abandoned hulks
- Current Condition: No known dive expeditions or surveys; wreck may have been broken up for salvage or obscured by silt and harbor fill
Archival References
- Enrollment, refit, and ownership changes recorded in U.S. Customs and Great Lakes vessel registers (Detroit, Chicago entries)
- Loss noted in 1931 ship abandonment lists; may align with Corps of Engineers abandonment orders in Chicago waterways
Significance
- Representative of small wooden propeller vessels operating in Great Lakes commerce from the late 19th into the early 20th century
- Reflects lifecycle patterns: local service, conversion and refits, then abandonment during the economic downturn of the early 1930s
Research & Exploration Opportunities
| Focus Area | Actions |
|---|---|
| Harbor Records | Search U.S. Army Corps and Chicago Port Authority archives for 1931 abandonment/scuttling documentation of the Ogden Slip |
| Newspaper Archives | Review Chicago Tribune notices from 1931 for derelict vessel sales or scuttling ads |
| Dredging Logs & Aerial Maps | Analyze channel profile maps and dredge logs to identify potential wreck location |
| Sonar Survey | Commission side-scan sonar in the slip vicinity to detect buried hull structures |
| Dive or ROV Inspection | If sonar shows targets, deploy ROV to photograph and confirm identity with hull features |
Summary
The Mineral City was a modest wooden propeller steamer built in 1895, later modified for larger service, and ultimately abandoned and scuttled near Chicago’s Ogden Slip in 1931. Though unremarkable in scale, she represents a common vessel class vital to early Great Lakes regional commerce. Her abandoned hulk may still lie undiscovered under harbor sediments—ideal for targeted maritime heritage exploration.
mineral-city-us-92639 1931-07-18 23:40:00