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.
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.
(built c. circa mid‑1800s; lost May 18, 1894)
Wooden two-masted schooner—likely American Great Lakes trader
Identification & Voyage Summary
- 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.
Collision & Sinking
- 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. “The schooner Myrtle… jib boom broke off, and drifting away from the Evening Star she struck the schooner Gifford. Her bows being stove in, she sank rapidly.”
(Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections, wrecksite.eu, Hoosier State Chronicles)
Casualties
- All six crew members were lost, making this one of the more severe small‑vessel losses in the Chicago area that spring. “Crew of six drowned.”
(wrecksite.eu)
Route & Conditions
- She had “struggled into Chicago in a gale” and was only a few miles off 35th Street, evidently tangled in traffic or fog when struck.
(wrecksite.eu)
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Myrtle |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Last Voyage | Bound to Chicago, entering harbor in storm |
| Loss Date | May 18, 1894 |
| Other Vessels | Evening Star, Clifford involved in collision |
| Cause of Loss | Collision amid gale; bows destroyed; rapid sinking |
| Crew | 6 aboard; all perished |
| Location of Sinking | Near 35th Street, Chicago Harbor approach |
Historical Significance
- This incident highlights the dangers of Great Lakes harbor entry during spring storms, especially near Chicago where multiple small freighters crowded into tight safety zones.
- Myrtle’s collision and instant sinking, coupled with the complete loss of crew, underscore how even moderate-sized schooners could be destroyed in moments.
Recommended Archival Research
To deepen documentation of Myrtle’s final voyage:
- Chicago Tribune archives (May 19–20, 1894) for collision reviews, harbor conditions, and crew identities.
- Illinois Great Lakes pilot books or harbor logs for May 1894 may note collision entries or salvage attempts.
- Insurance or underwriter claims records under the Chicago marine offices might carry Official No. or loss detail tied to Myrtle.
- Company or shipyard records for Evening Star or Clifford could include collision aftermath reports.