|
|
|
|
|
|
Maritime History
|
In March 1849, Amos R. Harlow of Massachusetts organized the Marquette Iron Company for the purpose of manufacturing iron blooms in the Lake Superior iron region. On July 6, 1849, Harlow and his party boarded the little schooner Fur Trader at Sault Ste.Marie and arrived at Iron Bay, now Marquette Harbor. The early vessels anchored between Ripley's Rock, named for Captain Ripley of the Fur Trader, and a wooden wharf.
The small schooners were the life line between the early settlers and their friends and relations around the country because they provided the only means of transportation. The sight of the first schooner making its way through the ice flows in the spring of the year caused much commotion. Newspapers, mail, food, and supplies were all carried by these small ships. The schooners also brought the dock hands who loaded vessels with iron ore during the shipping season.
For twenty years, from 1856 to 1876, Marquette was an extremely important lake port because it was the only port that shipped the rich Lake Superior district iron ore. By the 1870's, the docks were fitted with pockets and chutes for either steam boats or sailing vessels. The Cleveland Iron Mining Company's dock was 30 feet above the lake level and was originally built with 29 vessel pockets and 6 steam boat pockets, but was extended 350 feet in 1872. The extension provided room for 54 additional pockets. During the 1873 season, the total tonnage of iron ore shipped from the port of Marquette was 1,175,000 tons.
By 1884, locomotives played a vital part in hauling ore from the mines to the docks. The pockets and chutes were filled using the hopper type ore cars. In 1889, the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway operated a dock with 284 pockets. The railroads also provided alternate transportation for people, goods and eventually, iron ore.
|
The length and capacity of docks corresponded with the capacity of the ore freighters which they were designed to accommodate. As ore carriers increased in height and width, higher pocket openings were required and it was necessary to construct new docks and rebuild old ones. In 1867, vessels carried ore cargoes of 550 tons. The first steel ore freighters introduced in the 1880's had a capacity of 2,500 tons. By 1898, ships were carrying 6,400 tons and by 1938, 15,000 tons.
The demand for iron ore grew, faster dispatch of vessels was necessary and larger cars and the number of more powerful locomotives for transporting the ore from mines to the docks increased with improved technology. These developments caused the old wooden Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway ore dock built in 1898 to become obsolete. A new dock was constructed by the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Company of reinforced concrete and steel in 1911 and 1912 in the Upper Harbor near Presque Isle Park. This dock is 75 feet high, 1,200 feet long and has 200 pockets with a total capacity of 50,000 tons of ore pellets. By 1929, more than one and one half times the combined yearly tonnage of the Panama and Suez Canals passed through the Soo Locks. The dock is still in use today.
Activity also continued in the Lower Harbor. The D.S.S. & A. Railway, in order to remain competitive, built a new dock in 1931. The dock was constructed of steel and concrete, 85.5 feet high, 969 feet long, with 150 pockets. The total capacity was 47,500 tons. The D.S.S. & A. Railway merged with other companies to form the Soo Line. The dock remained in operation until the late 1960's when a decrease in demand for iron ore forced it to close. In 1987, the Soo Line sold its Lake States Division to Wisconsin Central Ltd. and the ownership passed to the latter railroad where it remains today.
In addition to ore shipments, the Marquette Harbor was always a center of activity. Ships transported all types of commercial goods to the businesses and residents of the Central Upper Peninsula. In addition to cargo, the ships carried passengers who visited the area for business, pleasure and health rehabilitation. Many travelers recorded their reaction to landing in Marquette and were impressed with the welcome they received. Bands played and citizens greeted the visitors on their arrival.
The marine history of Marquette was not just about ore shipments and the arrival of goods, services and visitors. Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water in the world and is known for its sudden violent storms. A small wooden breakwater in Marquette Bay with a small frame lighthouse on the end, provided the only protection for vessels in 1859. Both Marquette and Presque Isle harbors were totally exposed to lake storms. There was not enough room for all of the vessels at the ore docks and many waiting vessels were force to anchor in the open harbor at Marquette Bay. Even those at the ore docks had to be towed out to anchorage during storms so they would not be smashed against the docks or pull their mooring lines loose. Later, a cement breakwater was constructed in the Lower Harbor with an electric range light on the end.
|
Most of the vessels wrecked near or in Marquette Bay were either damaged permanently on protruding rocks or shoals or were washed out to sand bars where they could sometimes be recovered. Many of the well known area shipwrecks took place between Presque Isle and Shot Point, located 10 miles East of Marquette. Some notable wrecks include: the grounding of the Plymouth in tow of the steam barge Hurlbut at Presque Isle in 1887; the Moonlight and Kent towed by the steamer Kershaw in 1895 near Chocolay; and the Henry B. Smith in 1913. The Smith has never been found.
Due to the many wrecks that occurred near Marquette, a life saving station was needed. The closest station was located in the Keweenaw and the team could not come to Marquette every time a wreck occurred. The first station was built in Marquette in 1890 and consisted of a Keeper's House for a crew of seven and a lookout station where equipment was stored. Equipment included line shooting guns, an English model life boat, a boat donated by the Portage Entry Station and a self bailing boat. Later, the station received a motor driven life boat with an engine made by the Lake Shore Engine Company. Captain Henry J. Cleary was the first keeper of the station. The crew performed many rescues over the years. In recognition of his courage and ability, Captain Cleary was chosen to head the life saving crew which gave exhibition drills at the 1938 World's Fair in Chicago.
Marquette continues to serve as a Lake Superior port city. Coal is delivered to the electric company generating plants near Presque Isle and in South Marquette. Iron ore is now transported on 1000 foot freighters to the manufacturing centers in lower Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. The Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railway still carries the ore from the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company's Tilden and Empire Mines to the shore. The ore is now pelletized and this efficient process has facilitated easy loading through the chutes at the dock. The marine tradition continues to be an integral part of the Marquette landscape.
Frances Faber Porter
August 2000
|
|
