Propeller Indiana’s Cargo of Iron Ore

Description:

On 6 June 1858, the propeller Indiana sank in Lake Superior transporting its owner, three passengers and 280 tons of iron ore from Marquette, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI. The ship was insured for $9,000; the ore was insured separately for an undisclosed amount. One contemporary newspaper stated that it was the “first cargo of Lake Superior iron ore ever lost on the lakes.”

The ship landed upright and slightly bow down on the lakebed in 120 feet of water; the bow split open and ore spilled out onto the sandy bottom. The deck of the shipwreck remains covered with iron ore today, and the cargo hold is filled about three feet deep with ore as well.

Samples of the ore were recovered in 1979; upon analysis, they revealed that a high percentage of pure iron.

Date Propeller Indiana Sank: 1858-06-06Samples Of The Ore Were Collected: 1979

Location: Currently not on view

Associated Place: Superior, LakeLeft Port: United States: Michigan, MarquetteShip En Route To Before It Sank: United States: Michigan, Sault Sainte Marie

Related Event: Expansion and Reform

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Maritime, Cultures & Communities, Work, Energy & Power, Industry & Manufacturing, Transportation, On the Water exhibit

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater

Related Publication: On the Water online exhibition

Credit Line: Gift of Michigan Department of State, Michigan History Division (through Bruce J. Andrews)

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1979.1030.12.01Catalog Number: 1979.1030.12Accession Number: 1979.1030

Object Name: iron ore samples

Physical Description: iron ore (overall material)Measurements: container: 11 ft x 1 ft x 3 ft; 3.3528 m x .3048 m x .9144 m

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-c594-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1155720

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