Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Pere Marquette No. 8
- Type: Wooden screw steamer
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: John B. Martel, South Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: 170.8 ft (52 m); Beam 35.2 ft; Depth of hold 11.5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 692 gross tons
- Location: Manistee Lake, Manistee, Michigan
- Official Number: 95952
- Original Owners: Henry and Charles Williams, Pere Marquette Line Steamers
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden screw steamer
Description
The Pere Marquette No. 8, originally launched as H.W. Williams, was a wooden screw steamer that underwent significant modifications throughout its service life. It was built to accommodate the evolving demands of passenger and freight transport on Lake Michigan.
History
Ownership and Service History:
- 1888-1910: Operated as H.W. Williams by Henry and Charles Williams, South Haven, Michigan.
- 1910-1913: Renamed Tennessee; modernized for passenger service.
- 1913-1927: Renamed Pere Marquette No. 8 under Pere Marquette Line Steamers.
- Service Routes: South Haven to Chicago, and later Pentwater, Frankfort, Ludington, Manistee, Onekama, Arcadia (Lake Michigan).
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- October 25, 1927: The vessel caught fire while moored in Manistee Lake, resulting in total loss.
Final Disposition
The Pere Marquette No. 8 was destroyed by fire on October 25, 1927, while idle in the harbor of Manistee, Michigan. There were no reported casualties, and the vessel was deemed a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the vessel was destroyed by fire while moored, there are no remains to explore. The site is not accessible for diving.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”pere-marquette-no-8-ex-h-w-williams-tennessee-us-95952″ title=”References & Links”]
The Pere Marquette No. 8 serves as a historical example of late 19th-century wooden screw steamers and marks the end of an era for wooden-hulled passenger freighters on Lake Michigan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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