Identification & Site Information

• Name: H.B.
• Type: Schooner-Barge
• Year Built: 1890
• Builder: D. Tait, Montreal, Quebec
• Official Number: 96862
• Construction: Wooden Hull
• Dimensions:
• Length: 171 feet (52.1 metres)
• Beam: 34 feet (10.4 metres)
• Depth: 13 feet (4 metres)
• Tonnage: 541 gross tons
• Final Voyage: October 17, 1912
• Final Location of Wreck: Off Galloup Island Light, approximately 20 miles from Sackett’s Harbor, Lake Ontario
• Depth: Unknown
• Condition: Total wreck

Vessel Type Description

The H.B. was a Schooner-Barge, a versatile vessel type used extensively on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels, often towed by tugboats, were integral for transporting bulk cargo like coal and lumber. The H.B. featured three masts and a single Deck, providing it with ample space for large shipments. Its robust wooden construction and substantial tonnage made it a vital component of the region’s commercial fleet.

History

Construction and Service

The H.B. was built in 1890 in Montreal, Quebec, by the renowned shipbuilder D. Tait. Designed as a sturdy cargo carrier, the Schooner-Barge operated primarily in the Great Lakes region, carrying commodities such as coal, essential for fueling the industrial growth of the late 19th century.

Final Voyage and Tragedy

On October 17, 1912, the H.B. embarked on a fateful voyage from Oswego, New York, to Montreal, Quebec, laden with coal. While under tow by the Tugboat William Proctor, the convoy encountered a fierce storm on Lake Ontario. The tow line snapped, leaving the H.B. and two other barges—Menominee and Buckley—adrift.

Disaster struck off Galloup Island Light, about 20 miles from Sackett’s Harbor. The storm’s relentless force overwhelmed the H.B., causing it to sink. Out of the seven individuals aboard, only two survived. The victims included:

•J. D. Schamp

•Steven Lebux

•Fred Lahance

•Alice Derusha (16), daughter of Captain John Derusha, who commanded the H.B.

Aftermath

Rescue operations managed to save the crews of the remaining barges. The Menominee was initially located by the Steamer Nicaragua, but despite efforts, it later succumbed to the storm. The Buckley and its crew were successfully towed to Cape Vincent.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the H.B. remains at the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario, its exact coordinates and depth undocumented. The vessel, lost in one of the Great Lakes’ infamous storms, serves as a somber reminder of the perilous conditions faced by mariners.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The sinking of the H.B. highlights the dangers of early 20th-century Great Lakes navigation. Its story underscores the reliance on Schooner-barges for transporting essential goods and the risks inherent in this work. The tragedy, which claimed five lives, including a young girl, is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The H.B.’s wreck lies undisturbed in the deep waters of Lake Ontario, its condition unknown due to a lack of exploration or documentation. The vessel remains a lost relic of the Schooner-Barge era, its story preserved through maritime records and local lore.

Resources & Links

•Archival Records:

• Great Lakes Register 1900
• Great Lakes Register 1905
• Patrick Labadie Collection – Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library
• www.sonarguy.com – Locators of the HB

3D Model

Wreck of the H.B. – Lake Ontario by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The H.B.’s story encapsulates the hazards and heroism of Great Lakes shipping in the early 20th century. From its robust construction in Montreal to its tragic loss near Galloup Island, the vessel symbolizes the interplay between human ambition and nature’s unforgiving forces. The loss of life and the dramatic events surrounding its sinking have cemented the H.B.’s place in the maritime history of Lake Ontario.

Tags

#GreatLakes #LakeOntario #HB #SchoonerBarge #Shipwreck #MaritimeHistory #GalloupIsland #Early20thCenturyNavigation #Storms #ShipbuilderMontreal