Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oliver No. 1
- Type: Unrigged Wooden Scow
- Year Built: 1909
- Builder: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 75 gross / 75 net tons
- Location: ~2 miles offshore of Marquette, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 166148
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
(Unrigged Wooden Scow)
Description
Official No.: 166148
Built: 1909, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Type: Unrigged wooden scow
Tonnage: Approx. 75 gross / 75 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
Final Incident — October 21 or 27, 1920
- Route & Ownership: Operating out of Marquette, navigating on Lake Huron
- Event Summary: During an autumn storm, Oliver No. 1 foundered—capsized or overwhelmed in rough weather. According to the historical record: “Found on her beam ends 2 miles offshore after a heavy storm. She appeared to have capsized and all her crew lost.” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date Discrepancy: Some sources list October 21, others October 27; loss occurred in late October 1920
- Casualties: All crew lost—no survivors recorded
- Cargo: Not documented; likely empty or carrying light freight typical for scow operations
Significant Incidents
Incident Summary Table
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name & Official No. | Oliver No. 1 — US No. 166148 |
| Built / Tonnage | 1909, Sault Ste. Marie; ~75 t |
| Loss Date | Oct 21 or Oct 27, 1920 |
| Location of Loss | ~2 miles offshore of Marquette, Lake Huron |
| Cause | Foundered in storm—capsized |
| Fatalities | Entire crew lost |
| Cargo | Unknown / minimal |
Final Disposition
Historical & Maritime Context
- Oliver No. 1 was a coastal scow from Marquette, plying shallow waters around the Upper Great Lakes—common for hauling bulk materials or debris.
- Her loss in late October reflects the escalation of post-navigation-season storms on Lake Huron, often driven by cold fronts and high winds.
- The disaster was likely sudden, with little opportunity for distress signaling or rescue, typical for small unrigged vessels during that era.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Current Condition & Accessibility
Recommended Research Opportunities
- Local Newspaper Archives (October 1920):
- Investigate Marquette Mining Journal, Escanaba Daily Press, or Munising Journal for reports, crew names, storm scene descriptions, or witness accounts.
- Maritime Authority Records:
- U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service logs or local port authority files may include incident reports or muster lists confirming casualties.
- Weather Records:
- NOAA archives or Environment Canada data could reconstruct wind, wave, and temperature conditions across Lake Huron during late October 1920.
- Wreck Localization and Survey:
- Consider contacting Marquette Underwater Preserve or NOAA for possible cartographic or sonar data on wreckage sites ~2 mi offshore—suitable for dive documentation or heritage record.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”oliver-no-1-us-166148″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the Oliver No. 1 serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the tumultuous autumn months. Its story highlights the importance of maritime safety and the need for continued research into the region’s maritime history.
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.
(Unrigged Wooden Scow)
Official No.: 166148
Built: 1909, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Type: Unrigged wooden scow
Tonnage: Approx. 75 gross / 75 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Incident — October 21 or 27, 1920
- Route & Ownership: Operating out of Marquette, navigating on Lake Huron
- Event Summary: During an autumn storm, Oliver No. 1 foundered—capsized or overwhelmed in rough weather. According to the historical record: “Found on her beam ends 2 miles offshore after a heavy storm. She appeared to have capsized and all her crew lost.” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date Discrepancy: Some sources list October 21, others October 27; loss occurred in late October 1920
- Casualties: All crew lost—no survivors recorded
- Cargo: Not documented; likely empty or carrying light freight typical for scow operations
Incident Summary Table
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name & Official No. | Oliver No. 1 — US No. 166148 |
| Built / Tonnage | 1909, Sault Ste. Marie; ~75 t |
| Loss Date | Oct 21 or Oct 27, 1920 |
| Location of Loss | ~2 miles offshore of Marquette, Lake Huron |
| Cause | Foundered in storm—capsized |
| Fatalities | Entire crew lost |
| Cargo | Unknown / minimal |
Historical & Maritime Context
- Oliver No. 1 was a coastal scow from Marquette, plying shallow waters around the Upper Great Lakes—common for hauling bulk materials or debris.
- Her loss in late October reflects the escalation of post-navigation-season storms on Lake Huron, often driven by cold fronts and high winds.
- The disaster was likely sudden, with little opportunity for distress signaling or rescue, typical for small unrigged vessels during that era.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Recommended Research Opportunities
- Local Newspaper Archives (October 1920):
- Investigate Marquette Mining Journal, Escanaba Daily Press, or Munising Journal for reports, crew names, storm scene descriptions, or witness accounts.
- Maritime Authority Records:
- U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service logs or local port authority files may include incident reports or muster lists confirming casualties.
- Weather Records:
- NOAA archives or Environment Canada data could reconstruct wind, wave, and temperature conditions across Lake Huron during late October 1920.
- Wreck Localization and Survey:
- Consider contacting Marquette Underwater Preserve or NOAA for possible cartographic or sonar data on wreckage sites ~2 mi offshore—suitable for dive documentation or heritage record.