Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Pere Marquette No. 3
- Type: Steel-hulled train/cargo ferry
- Year Built: Before 1920
- Builder: Pere Marquette Railway’s shipping division
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not available
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13 m / 43 ft
- Location: Approximately 3 miles SW of Ludington, Michigan
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Pere Marquette Railway
- Number of Masts: Not available
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A steel railroad car ferry designed to carry multiple freight cars and passengers across Lake Michigan year-round, featuring a robust hull to withstand ice pressure.
Description
Operated by Pere Marquette Railway, the No. 3 entered service primarily on the Ludington–Milwaukee route. On 7 March 1920, she became trapped in an early spring ice field. A sudden wind shift compressed the pack ice against her hull, crushing the sides. With no hull plate designed for such pressure, the vessel rapidly lost buoyancy.
History
All 35 crew and passengers were rescued safely. US Coast Guard and local lifesaving boats responded swiftly to evacuate everyone before the sinking.
Significant Incidents
- 7 March 1920: Pere Marquette No. 3 trapped in ice, leading to her sinking.
- All 35 individuals on board were rescued without casualties.
Final Disposition
The ship sank upright in about 13 m (43 ft) of water. Her hull was later salvaged—raised in July 1920 and brought to Manitowoc, WI. She was declared a total loss and subsequently broken up in 1921.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site was known upon sinking but was not extensively surveyed. Her hull was removed, leaving little behind. No modern dive or archaeological investigation has been recorded.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”pere-marquette-no-3″ title=”References & Links”]
Pere Marquette No. 3, a steel railroad ferry, was crushed by pack ice on 7 March 1920 near Ludington, MI. With her hull compromised, she sank in 13 m of water. Miraculously, all 35 aboard survived the ordeal. Salvaged shortly afterward, the hull was dismantled in 1921. No physical wreck remains today, but her story continues as a testament to the dangers of early-season ice navigation and the bravery of maritime rescuers of the era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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