Identification & Site Information
- Name: Pere Marquette No. 3 (often referred to simply as Pere Marquette 3)
- Built: Before 1920 by Pere Marquette Railway’s shipping division
- Vessel Type: Steel-hulled train/cargo Ferry
- Official Number: Not available
- Final Loss: 7 March 1920, crushed by ice in Lake Michigan, approximately 3 mi SW of Ludington, Michigan (en.wikipedia.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Cargo & Passengers: Mixed railcars and possibly passengers; all 35 people on board survived (en.wikipedia.org)
- Value at Loss: Estimated at $100,000 at the time (equivalent to multiple millions today)
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.
History & Final Voyage
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.
Casualties & Rescue
All 35 crew and passengers were rescued safely. US Coast Guard and local lifesaving boats responded swiftly to evacuate everyone before the sinking (en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).
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 (en.wikipedia.org).
Located By & Date Found
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.
Notations & Advisories
No active navigational markers reference her sinking location near Ludington. Icefields in late winter and early spring continue to pose seasonal hazards in the area.
Archival & Research Context
- Shipwreck listing confirms location, sinking date, and survivor count (en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com).
- Coast Guard rescue medals report acknowledges lifesaving actions involving 35 individuals on board (govinfo.gov).
Conclusion
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.