Marine City in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The R.G. Coburn
1870 - 1871
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 27, 2022
1. The R.G. Coburn 1870 - 1871 Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1871.
Location. 42° 43.092′ N, 82° 29.44′ W. Marker is in Marine City, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is on South Water Street near Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in Watchman Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 131 South Water Street, Marine City MI 48039, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Newaygo (here, next to this marker); The Carrier (a few steps from this marker); The Northerner (within shouting distance of this marker); Pêche Island Rear Range Light (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Heritage Square Historic District (about 700 feet away); Marine City World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away); Protector Rudder (about 800 feet away); Marine City High School Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marine City.
Also see . . . The search continues: a few of the most-sought-after undiscovered Great Lakes shipwrecks
this page online
It lost its rudder off Thunder Bay. The un-steerable ship was at the mercy of Mother Nature.
"She fell into the trough of raging seas and began to roll heavily, breaking loose the heavy barrels of silver ore," Trotter said. "The barrels rolled against the side of the hull, smashing holes in the side of the ship."
With water coming on, the crew began pitching cargo.
A survivor recounted in a Detroit Free Press article that people stayed remarkably calm amid the chaos. He praised the few women on board, saying he "did not hear a scream from one of them, even when the craft settled down to her grave."
Some people made it out on lifeboats, but about 45 died, Trotter said.
The ship's final resting place — and whether it still has any silver on board — remains a mystery. Trotter said it's possible that some of the silver thrown overboard is scattered in a trail on the lake bottom.
(Submitted on March 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 27, 2022
2. The R.G. Coburn 1870 - 1871 Marker
The R.G. Coburn marker is on the right.
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 27, 2022
3. The R.G. Coburn 1870 - 1871
A mosaic of the vessel has been placed with the marker.
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1996
4. The R.G. Coburn 1870 - 1871 Marker
Drawing from the book Steaming Through Smoke and Fire 1871
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
