Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Myrtle
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: c. mid-1800s
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near 35th Street, Chicago Harbor approach
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner—likely American Great Lakes trader.
Description
The Myrtle was carrying lumber and heading toward Chicago. On May 18, 1894, she encountered a gale near Chicago. Despite efforts to take shelter, she lost control.
History
During the grim approach to harbor, Myrtle collided with the schooners Evening Star and Clifford, the result of crowded lanes and storm conditions. The jib boom of Myrtle broke off, and she struck Evening Star, quickly taking on fatal damage as her bow stove in. Her crew attempted to escape but the vessel sank rapidly.
Significant Incidents
- All six crew members were lost, making this one of the more severe small-vessel losses in the Chicago area that spring.
Final Disposition
The Myrtle sank rapidly after the collision, with her bows being stove in. The incident highlights the dangers of Great Lakes harbor entry during spring storms, especially near Chicago where multiple small freighters crowded into tight safety zones.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Myrtle remains submerged near the Chicago Harbor approach, with no current salvage operations reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”myrtle-c1850″ title=”References & Links”]
This incident underscores how even moderate-sized schooners could be destroyed in moments, and the complete loss of crew serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by mariners in adverse weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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