Propeller Indiana’s Cargo of Iron Ore
Propeller Indiana’s Cargo of Iron Ore
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- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- iron ore samples
- date propeller Indiana sank
- 1858-06-06
- samples of the ore were collected
- 1979
- Associated Place
- Superior, Lake
- left port
- United States: Michigan, Marquette
- ship en route to before it sank
- United States: Michigan, Sault Sainte Marie
- 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
- ID Number
- 1979.1030.12.01
- catalog number
- 1979.1030.12
- accession number
- 1979.1030
- Credit Line
- Gift of Michigan Department of State, Michigan History Division (through Bruce J. Andrews)
- Expansion and Reform
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Maritime
- Cultures & Communities
- Work
- Energy & Power
- Industry & Manufacturing
- Transportation
- On the Water exhibit
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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