Identification & Site Information

• Name: Brothers (formerly Three Brothers)

• Type: Wooden Paddle Wheel Steamer

• Year Built: 1839

• Builder: Unknown

• Construction Location: Chatham, Ontario

• Tonnage: 150 tons

• Final Location: St. Clair River, near the lighthouse

• Date of Loss: May or June 1856

Vessel Type Description

The Brothers, originally known as Three Brothers, was a wooden paddle wheel Steamer designed for Ferry and cargo operations. Built in 1839, the vessel was praised for its architectural design and passenger accommodations, reflecting the standards of mid-19th-century Steamer construction. With a tonnage of 150 tons, it was a modest yet significant vessel for regional transportation.

History

The Three Brothers was launched in Chatham, Ontario, in 1839, initially owned by the Eberts family. It was lauded as a splendid new Steamer, offering regular services between Chatham, Amherstburg, Windsor, and Detroit. Its design prioritized passenger comfort and operational efficiency, making it a well-regarded vessel in the region.

Later renamed Brothers, the Steamer was acquired by Charles Davis of Chatham, who used it as a Ferry and cargo vessel. It was notable for being the first Ferry in the Chatham area, serving as a vital link for transportation and trade.

Final Voyage

In May or June of 1856, the Brothers encountered a severe storm on the St. Clair River, near the lighthouse. The vessel, carrying a cargo of bricks bound for Windsor, sank and was declared a Total Loss. Despite efforts to recover the wreck and its cargo, the ship was deemed irreparable. The insurance loss was reported as $5,500, a significant amount at the time. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

Final Disposition

The Brothers was Abandoned as a wreck in the St. Clair River after the 1856 storm. The vessel and its cargo were not salvaged, and the Steamer was written off as a complete loss.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Current Status: The wreck is not listed as a navigational hazard and is not included in any active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs).

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Brothers has not been identified or documented in modern surveys of the St. Clair River.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the Brothers is unknown, as the wreck has not been located or explored. Any remnants, if they still exist, are likely buried beneath sediment or dispersed due to river currents and conditions over time.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The Brothers, originally launched as Three Brothers, played a vital role in mid-19th-century maritime commerce and passenger transport in the Chatham area. Despite its prominence as a Ferry and cargo vessel, its life was cut short by a storm on the St. Clair River in 1856. The vessel’s story exemplifies the challenges faced by early steamers on the Great Lakes, serving as a historical reminder of the era’s innovation and the risks of navigation.

Keywords

Brothers, Three Brothers, paddle wheel Steamer, St. Clair River, Chatham Ontario, mid-19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes shipwreck, Ferry and cargo vessel, storm loss, Windsor route.