(CHICAGO) You can still see a bit of the wreck protruding from Lake Michigan waters just off the coast of the 49th Street Beach. In 1914, the Silver Spray steamboat sank to the bottom of the lake as onlookers watched from ashore. The wreck is so close to the beach that swimmers and divers can easily access what's left of the wreckage.
What happened to the Silver Spray?
In July of 1914, the Silver Spray was set to pick up 200 university students for a tour of Indiana steel mills. However, the ship struck the Morgan Shoal, a rocky outcrop that's been in place for millions of years, formed by retreating glaciers.
Although the ship was firmly stuck in the ancient reef, the captain and his seven-man crew weren't ready to give up. They remained onboard while the cook made stew for dinner.
An excerpt from the Chicago Examiner in an article from the following day described the scene.
"The captain took his post of duty on the bridge and addressed the crew. 'As for me,’ he said, sniffing the savory odor of the stew, ‘I shall remain on board. I shall stay with the ship.’ He spoke huskily. There was a note of hunger in his voice. ‘But as for the rest of you,’ the captain continued, ‘those who so desire may get into that lifeboat and strike for shore.’ Not a man moved save the cook, who stirred some spice into the stew.”
The ship sunk to the bottom of Lake Michigan
Many attempts were made to pull the ship out of the Morgan Shoal, but nothing could save it. After three days, the captain and his crew finally abandoned the ship and headed to shore. Shortly after, the Silver Spray sunk to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
The waves crashed the ship into the rocks, breaking up the wooden frame. Onlookers on the beach gathered the wood and burnt bonfires. The sinking ship must have been quite a sight as the boiler had been left on, causing a massive fire to burn as the ship sank to the bottom of the lake.
What's left of the Silver Spray
The wood from the ship either burnt or broke apart and landed on the beach. However, the metal boiler juts out of the water still today, and can be seen from the shore. Swimmers sometimes head out to the wreck and climb aboard the flat surface of the boiler to sunbathe.
The wreck is also a popular dive spot. Because it's shallow and close to shore, it's an easy area for beginner divers and snorkelers to explore.
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