IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Name: MARY E. McLACHLAN
- Other Names: None
- Type: Lake Barge (formerly a wooden Schooner)
- Tonnage:
- Location: Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior
- Year of Loss: November 7, 1921
- Coordinates: Not available
- Depth: Unknown
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The MARY E. McLACHLAN was constructed in 1893 by F.W. Wheeler Co. in West Bay, Michigan. Initially launched as the largest wooden Schooner on the Great Lakes, its four-mast design and oak construction with diagonal iron strapping exemplified late 19th-century shipbuilding innovation. Over its life, the vessel was converted into a lake Barge in 1918, reflecting shifting demands in maritime transport. Its large tonnage and capacity made it an asset for bulk cargo shipping.
HISTORY
- Early Career (1893–1917):
- Built for McLachlan Transportation Co., Port Huron, Michigan, and launched in 1893.
- The launch was notable for causing a wave that capsized a nearby Steamer, resulting in a drowning.
- Early mishaps included:
- 1895: Sideswiped the Steamer KITTIE M. FORBES.
- 1896: Suffered cargo damage due to a broken pipe.
- 1913: Grounded in Black Bay, Lake Huron.
- Canadian Registry and Later Career (1916–1921):
- Transferred to Canadian registry in 1916.
- Purchased in 1917 by the Montreal Transportation Co. for $40,000, underwent significant repairs, including a new stem, and was converted into a lake Barge in 1918.
- Sold to Canadian Towing and Wrecking Co. as part of an exchange deal in 1925.
Final Voyage: On November 7, 1921, the MARY E. McLACHLAN encountered a severe storm in Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior, and Foundered. Specific details of the sinking and the fate of its crew remain unknown.
FINAL DISPOSITION
- The vessel sank during a storm in Nipigon Bay.
- It remains unlocated, with no precise depth or coordinates available.
- Its sinking highlights the perilous nature of late-season navigation on Lake Superior.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to the wreck.
The site’s precise location is not documented.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the MARY E. McLACHLAN has not been located or definitively identified.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
•Current Condition: Unknown, as the wreck has not been found. A wooden structure of this age would likely exhibit significant degradation.
•Accessibility: Not currently accessible for diving or exploration. Should it be discovered, advanced diving skills would be necessary due to potential depth and environmental conditions.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Montreal Transportation Co. Archives: Directors’ minutes, annual reports, and logs.
- American Bureau of Shipping Great Lakes Register (1919, 1921).
- Alpena Public Library Great Lakes Maritime Database.
- Gillham, Ships in Trouble 1850–1930.
- Port Huron Daily Times (1893).
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes.
DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
The MARY E. McLACHLAN remains undiscovered, making diving currently impossible. Should the wreck be located, detailed mapping and archaeological studies would enhance understanding of its structural evolution and final moments.
TAGS Lake Superior Shipwrecks Great Lakes Maritime History 19th-Century Wooden Schooners Nipigon Bay Canadian Towing and Wrecking Co. McLachlan Transportation Co.
CONCLUSION
The MARY E. McLACHLAN, launched as the largest wooden Schooner on the Great Lakes, underwent a remarkable transformation throughout its life, adapting to changing maritime demands. Despite its impressive size and storied career, it succumbed to the challenges of Great Lakes navigation. The wreck, if located, would provide valuable insight into late 19th-century shipbuilding and early 20th-century maritime transport. Its legacy persists as a symbol of resilience and innovation in Great Lakes shipping history.