Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Selden E. Marvin
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner-barge, single-deck
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Bailey Brothers, Toledo, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 174.6 ft (53.2 m); Beam 33.2 ft (10.1 m); Depth of hold 12.2 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 618 ft
- Depth at Wreck Site: 183 m / 600 ft
- Location: Approximately 20 miles north of Grand Marais, Michigan
- Official Number: 115771
- Original Owners: Gratwick, Smith & Fryer Lumber Co., Detroit, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Selden E. Marvin was a robust two-masted wooden schooner-barge designed for the lumber trade on the Great Lakes. It featured a single deck and was equipped with two schooner-rigged masts for emergency sail power.
Description
The Selden E. Marvin was built to endure heavy loads and occasional grounding, primarily transporting lumber and coal. Throughout its operational life from 1881 to 1914, it was towed by various steamers, including G.H. Gratwick and Edward Smith. The vessel encountered minor incidents, such as a collision with Gladstone in 1892 and grounding at Round Island in 1904, but remained a valuable asset in the lumber fleet.
History
On 18 November 1914, during a violent storm, the Selden E. Marvin broke free from its towline while being towed by the steamer C.F. Curtis. The barge quickly sank in heavy seas, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members. This storm also claimed the steamer C.F. Curtis and another barge, Annie M. Peterson, leading to a total of 28 fatalities.
Significant Incidents
- 1892: Collision with Gladstone.
- 1904: Grounding at Round Island.
- 1914: Lost in a storm off Crisp Point, Lake Superior.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Selden E. Marvin was confirmed in summer 2022 during an ROV exploration, marking the first sighting since its sinking in 1914. The wreck lies approximately 20 miles north of Grand Marais, Michigan, at a depth of about 600 feet (183 m).
Current Condition & Accessibility
ROV footage shows the wreck with an intact nameboard, a smashed bow, broken masts, and remnants of the tow line, suggesting structural failure and possible collision with the towship. The stern of the C.F. Curtis was also noted to be damaged nearby.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”selden-e-marvin-us-115771″ title=”References & Links”]
The Selden E. Marvin serves as a significant historical and archaeological site, offering insights into late-19th-century shipbuilding, maritime history, and the tragic events of the storm that claimed multiple vessels and lives.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →