Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Hattie Hutt (formerly F.B. Stockbridge)

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Dimensions: Not explicitly documented, typical schooners of the era were approximately 30–50 meters in length.

•Registered Tonnage: 295 tons

•Depth at Wreck Site: 98 feet (29.87 meters)

•Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Approximately 100 meters northeast of the Sanor wreck, marked by “John’s Run,” a temporary mooring made from rail wheels.

•Final Date of Wreck: 1929 (destroyed by fire)

•Scuttled: 1937 at the Wolfe Island Graveyard

Vessel Type Description

The Hattie Hutt, originally constructed as the F.B. Stockbridge, was a wooden Schooner built for the transportation of cargo on the Great Lakes. With a robust A2 classification at the time of its launch in 1873, the vessel was designed for durability and deep-sea capability. Its multi-mast design and adaptability made it an important player in the economic activities of the region.

History

Construction and Early Years

•The Schooner was built in 1873 by J. Martel in Saugatuck, Michigan, and originally registered as F.B. Stockbridge, named after its first owner, F.B. Stockbridge of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

•Valued at $13,000, the ship had a tonnage of 295 tons and was classified A2, emphasizing its strong construction and suitability for long voyages.

Ownership Changes

•Renamed Hattie Hutt in 1881 and transferred to Louis Hutt of Chicago by 1892, the vessel saw multiple owners throughout its operational life, including:

•Ole Hansen of Manitowoc (bought in 1892 for $4,500)

•Ottawa Transportation Co., Ltd. (1888)

•Frank Granville of Chatham, Ontario (1910)

•James Oliver of Kingston, Ontario (1927)

Notable Incidents

•In 1887, the Schooner sprang a leak during a squall, highlighting the risks faced by wooden vessels on the unpredictable Great Lakes.

•On another occasion, the Hattie Hutt returned to port after sustaining significant sail damage while carrying grain, reflecting the challenges of Great Lakes shipping during the era.

Final Years

•In 1929, the Schooner was destroyed by fire while docked in Kingston Harbor, below the LaSalle Causeway.

•In 1937, the remains of the vessel were moved to the Nine Mile Point graveyard (Wolfe Island Graveyard) by Sincennes McNaughton tugs and scuttled.

Final Disposition

The Hattie Hutt lies submerged in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, about 100 meters northeast of the Sanor wreck. A temporary mooring created from rail wheels, known as John’s Run, connects the wrecks and aids in exploration. The vessel represents one of many scuttled ships that formed the underwater graveyard, a resting place for retired vessels.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•The Hattie Hutt wreck is preserved at a depth of 98 feet, accessible to divers familiar with deeper dives.

•The cold freshwater of Lake Ontario likely aids in the preservation of wooden structures, offering insights into maritime history for underwater archaeologists and divers.

•Caution is advised due to potential debris and proximity to other wrecks, such as the Sanor.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

•There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for the Hattie Hutt wreck site, though divers and mariners should exercise care when exploring or navigating near the Wolfe Island Graveyard.

Resources & Links

•Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Provides resources for divers interested in the Wolfe Island Graveyard.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Offers historical data and detailed records of vessels like the Hattie Hutt.

•Queens University POW Photo Project (1998): Includes archival footage and photographs of Wolfe Island wrecks.

•Vlada Dekina Photogallery (2002): Features images of the Hattie Hutt and nearby wrecks.

Analysis

The Hattie Hutt exemplifies the life cycle of a 19th-century Great Lakes Schooner. Built during a time when wooden vessels dominated the region’s maritime economy, it served for over 50 years, enduring storms, leaks, and collisions. Its scuttling at Wolfe Island Graveyard highlights the common practice of retiring aging ships in designated underwater graveyards. Today, the wreck offers a window into maritime history and serves as a site of interest for divers and historians alike.

Keywords

Hattie Hutt, F.B. Stockbridge, Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Great Lakes Schooner, Nine Mile Point graveyard, John’s Run, Kingston maritime history.