Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Phineas S. Marsh
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: G.W. Jones, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~177 ft (54 m) L × 31 ft (9.4 m) beam × 13 ft (4 m) depth; 543 GRT, 516 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 543 GRT, 516 NRT
- Location: Near Crisp Point, eastern Lake Superior
- Official Number: 19679
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Phineas S. Marsh was a three-masted wooden schooner, typical of the cargo vessels used in the Great Lakes bulk freight trade.
Description
Built in 1867, the Phineas S. Marsh was designed to carry cargo, specifically limestone blocks, across the Great Lakes. The vessel underwent rebuilds in 1880 and 1883, extending its service life.
History
The Phineas S. Marsh was constructed in Black River, Ohio, and served for nearly three decades. It played a significant role in the transportation of bulk materials, particularly stone blocks, which were essential for construction and other industries in the region.
Significant Incidents
- On August 26, 1896, the Phineas S. Marsh encountered a severe storm near Crisp Point on Lake Superior, leading to its grounding and subsequent sinking.
- The crew managed to climb into the rigging and were rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service from Crisp Point station, with no casualties reported.
- By August 30, 1896, the vessel was declared a total loss as it broke apart shortly after grounding.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Phineas S. Marsh was declared a total loss shortly after the incident. The vessel broke apart, and all major structural elements are likely scattered across the seabed, with machinery absent due to its wooden construction.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located near Crisp Point, within distress range of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. The condition of the wreck is poor, as it broke apart soon after grounding, and all major structural elements are likely scattered.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”phineas-s-marsh-us-19679″ title=”References & Links”]
The Phineas S. Marsh met her demise during a violent storm in 1896, grounding and rapidly disintegrating off Crisp Point while carrying limestone. This incident is well-documented, and a remote-sensing survey near Crisp Point could help confirm her location and reveal burial 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official Number: 19679
- Built: 1867 by G.W. Jones, Black River, Ohio
- Type: Three‑masted wooden schooner
- Dimensions: ~177 ft L × 31 ft beam × 13 ft depth; 543 GRT, 516 NRT
- Cargo at Loss: Limestone blocks
- Final Voyage: Departed eastward from Portage Entry (Keweenaw Peninsula), bound perhaps for Chicago
Incident Overview
- On August 26, 1896, Phineas S. Marsh encountered a severe storm near Crisp Point on Lake Superior. She was driven aground, struck bottom, and began sinking.
- The crew climbed into the rigging and were rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service from Crisp Point station—no casualties reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, The Free Library).
- The vessel subsequently broke up and was declared a total loss by August 30, 1896 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
History & Vessel Characteristics
- She was built in Black River, OH in 1867, served for nearly three decades, including rebuilds in 1880 and 1883 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- As a three‑masted cargo schooner carrying stone blocks, she played a typical role in the Great Lakes’ bulk freight trade.
Wreck Location & Condition
- Location: Near Crisp Point, eastern Lake Superior—within distress range of the U.S. Life-Saving Service
- Condition: Broken apart soon after grounding; all major structural elements likely scattered; machinery absent (wooden vessel)
Research Gaps & Next Actions
| Focus Area | Suggested Research |
|---|---|
| Precise Coordinates | Combine Life-Saving Service logs and survivor testimony (e.g., Sault-Sainte-Marie News, Sept 6, 1896) (The Free Library) |
| Archival Records | Access U.S. Enrollment database (NA/LHDL), underwriter files in Cleveland |
| Geophysical Survey | Conduct side-scan sonar/magnetometer survey off Crisp Point to locate debris |
| Site Condition & Dive Access | Assess if any timbers, rigging remains or cargo blocks visible in shallow nearshore water |
Conclusion
The Phineas S. Marsh met her demise during a violent late‑August storm in 1896, grounding and rapidly disintegrating off Crisp Point while carrying limestone. This highly documented rescue (rigging, surfboat deployment, surfmen) offers a strong archival anchor. A remote-sensing survey near Crisp Point—combined with historical narratives—could confirm her location and reveal burial conditions.
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