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The Unsolved Mystery of SS Marquette & Bessemer No. 2

Big Old Boats

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On December 7th, 1909, the train ferry SS Marquette and Bessemer No. 2 left Conneaut, Ohio for her daily 5-hour voyage to Port Stanley, Ontario. She departed as a storm descended over Lake Erie. Despite numerous contradictory sightings throughout the night, come morning the ship and her crew were never seen again. To this day, her wreck remains undiscovered, making her one of the greatest mysteries of the Great Lakes.

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Sources:
Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes by Dwight Boyer

Chapters:
00:00 SS Marquette & Bessemer No. 2
2:10 Chapter 1: “Sturdy and Reliable”
6:31 Chapter 2: Delayed Departure
10:12 Chapter 3: Signals in the Storm
15:23 Chapter 4: Traces of Tragedy
20:25 Chapter 5: The Mystery Endures

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20 Comments

@BigOldBoats Creator 3 weeks ago Pinned

Hey crew! Hope you enjoy this updated version of the Marquette & Bessemer No. 2 story! What story do you want to see me cover next?

@leroysgamesandmore2226 3 weeks ago

If her wreck is discovered it’s most likely largely collapsed like the SS Milwaukee wreck

@raquellofstedt9713 3 weeks ago

I imagine she had been gradually taking on water for a while, making her clumsy and hard to steer. when the final blow came, it might not have needed to be as large of a wave as she had suffered previously, just enough to kill off the weakened ferry. Peace to them. I can't help but wonder who else was out in that storm. Thank you for another beautifully done and thought provoking video.

@scooterc6412 3 weeks ago

I’ve been fascinated by this story for years, and the way you tell it is very in depth, historically accurate and spellbinding! My father, sister and brother in law all worked on the Lake Michigan car ferries in the 50’s-60’s, so it’s a story I find extremely interesting. My brother in law was a cook and he had several very expensive knives he kept in a small suitcase. He always said if he could only get to the life boat with one thing, it would be that suitcase! Knowing that, I don’t find the cook carrying his knives with him to be that unusual. I never get tired of this story, even when I’ve seen it a hundred times! I saw it the first time you released it a couple of years ago and I said then you are definitely in the right business! Your dedication to historical accuracy is absolutely unparalleled! Thanks again, BOB! Great work!

@pokerinthefrontliqueurinth4971 3 weeks ago

This story is fascinating considering the shallow depth of lake Erie. My father uesd to take my brother and I fishing on lake Erie. And there was a few times I've personally seen lake Erie turn from dead calm into something terrifying in minutes! I was a child but the conditions would've scared a grown man,.

@philstewart2245 3 weeks ago

It is said, in Port Stanley that in a November gale you can still hear the whistle.

@michaelsinger4638 3 weeks ago

That open side is just pure insanity. Just asking for a disaster with that.

It’s possible that the wreck has sank into the mud at the bottom of Erie. That would make it harder to locate:

@kevinquist 3 weeks ago

I hear 'car ferry' and I picture an automotive transport boat. NOT a train car ferry. I know. but its something that just wont click in my head.

@cmbart1 3 weeks ago (edited)

I'm from Conneaut (still live here). I grew up hearing stories about how on really blustery, stormy winter nights you can supposedly still hear the M&B No. 2 blowing her whistle, trying to find a safe harbor.

People underestimate the Great Lakes but they're really inland seas, not little recreational puddles. Erie especially can whip up nasty weather in no time because of how shallow it is. Every year we have out-of-towners find out just how dangerous it can be (I work in EMS).

@aquacanum 3 weeks ago

Another train ferry, the SS Pere Marquette 18, sank in Lake Michigan a little less than a year after the loss of the Marquette & Bessemer No. 2.

About half the crew were rescued, but the exact cause of the flooding that caused the ship to sink was never determined.

@mellissadalby1402 3 weeks ago

Even listening to this tragic tale while sitting safely at home, I feel uneasy about the peril of those who were taken by the storm.

@johnrobinson5156 3 weeks ago

I look forward to each new Big Old Boats 🚢 😌

@langlebl 3 weeks ago

Is this a re-upload? I'm sure you did a video of this one years ago.

@stargazer5784 3 weeks ago

Sadly, the only real mystery here is exactly where she went down.

@timhills4554 3 weeks ago

Excellent as always. I know little about ships but the Great Lakes seem to have claimed many vessels over the years.

@plokoon1912 3 weeks ago

I just love your Great Lakes Videos. They are what got me to your channel and I just enjoy hearing about the great lakes ships.
I hope you do some more of those again ^-^

@hharney3335 3 weeks ago (edited)

Amazing video, as always. Your focus on the Great Lakes has me in awe about how dangerous they are.

@gagehagerty3046 3 weeks ago

I love hearing stories of my home lake, born in Erie and have spent a lot of time on the Lake. Id love to hear more stories of ships on Lake Erie, she has the most wrecks out of all the Great Lakes so theres plenty!

@Nebraska_Panhandler 3 weeks ago

I fail to understand why so many ro-ro's sailed on such tough waters like the Great Lakes. Common sense, builders !! Originally from Seattle, I sailed on ro-ro ferries many, many times, but it was on Puget Sound. A pretty calm stretch of water. I feel sad for all those who lost their lives on these dangerously inadequate-built- ships . May they all rest in peace. Great video Brad. Thanks very much for your dedication and excellent research.