Identification & Site Information

• Name: Hattie Wells
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 11609
• Date Built and Launched: 1867
• Builder: Stewart & Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
• Built For: Wells & Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
• Specifications
  • Original Dimensions (1867):  Length: 135 ft (41.15 m)  Beam (Width): 26 ft (7.92 m)  Depth of Hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
  • After Enlargement & Rebuild (1885):
     Length: 164 ft (49.99 m) Beam: 28 ft (8.53 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 376 tons
• Net Tonnage: 357 tons
• Date Lost: November 6, 1912
• Place of Loss: Off St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Foundered in a storm while under tow
• Loss of Life: None 
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber
• Towing Vessel: Tug James H. Martin

Vessel Type

The Hattie Wells was a three-masted wooden Schooner-Barge, a vessel type commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Schooner-barges were originally built as sailing schooners but later converted (or purpose-built) to be towed by steam tugs while retaining some sail capability for stabilization or auxiliary propulsion. This hybrid design allowed for increased cargo capacity and cost-efficiency in towing convoys of barges across the lakes.

Description

Built in 1867 by Stewart & Fitzgerald of Port Huron, Michigan, the Hattie Wells was initially constructed as a moderately sized Schooner. In 1885, she underwent a significant Rebuild and enlargement, increasing her length from 135 feet to 164 feet, with a corresponding increase in beam and tonnage. This modification reflects the broader trend in Great Lakes shipping toward maximizing cargo capacity, particularly for bulk commodities like lumber, coal, and iron ore.

Her wooden Hull, typical of the era, was reinforced to withstand the harsh conditions of Great Lakes shipping. After her Conversion to a Schooner-Barge, she operated primarily under tow, reducing her reliance on sails and allowing her to carry larger loads more efficiently.

Operational History

The Hattie Wells had a long and eventful career spanning over 45 years, serving in the lumber trade, one of the dominant industries on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Lumber from the forests of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario was shipped to growing cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Buffalo to support rapid urbanization and industrialization.

She was originally owned by Wells & Fitzgerald of Port Huron, Michigan, reflecting her roots in the busy maritime economy of the St. Clair River region. Throughout her service life, she experienced several significant incidents:

Major Incidents:

• 1892 – Wrecked Near Point Pelee:  The Hattie Wells was wrecked and declared a Total Loss near Point Pelee, Lake Erie.  Remarkably, the vessel was not salvaged until the following July, indicating that she remained stranded through the harsh winter months. Despite being declared a Total Loss, she was evidently salvaged, repaired, and returned to service—a common practice when the cost of recovery was justified by the vessel’s value.
• 1907 – Nearly Destroyed by Fire at Marysville, Michigan: On October 12, 1907, she suffered a severe fire while docked at Marysville, Michigan, along the St. Clair River. The damage was extensive, and her official documentation was surrendered, marking her as a Total Loss for the second time. However, she was once again repaired and returned to service, highlighting the durability and economic importance of such vessels even after significant damage.
• On November 6, 1912, the Hattie Wells was being towed across Lake Michigan by the Tug James H. Martin, carrying a load of lumber—a familiar cargo for the aging Schooner-Barge. As the convoy approached the waters off St. Joseph, Michigan, they encountered a heavy gale, typical of the dangerous autumn storms that frequently batter the Great Lakes.
  
  Caught in the storm, the Hattie Wells began to take on water and started foundering. Recognizing the imminent danger, the crew made the perilous decision to abandon ship. In an extraordinary rescue effort, the crew was dragged one by one to the James H. Martin using a hand line, successfully saving all crew members despite the raging storm.

Shortly after the rescue, the Hattie Wells sank beneath the waves of Lake Michigan, ending her tumultuous but remarkable maritime career.

Final Disposition

The Hattie Wells was declared a Total Loss following her sinking in 1912. There are no confirmed reports of salvage operations for the vessel, and she likely remains on the bottom of Lake Michigan near St. Joseph, where her wooden Hull and cargo would have settled after foundering.

Given her historical significance and the high interest in Great Lakes shipwrecks, the site may be of interest to divers and maritime archaeologists, though no formal discovery has been recorded.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – The wreck is not marked as a navigational hazard, and there are no specific maritime advisories associated with the site.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Michigan Maritime Museum
• Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Hattie Wells, Schooner-Barge, Lake Michigan shipwreck, St. Joseph maritime history, James H. Martin Tug, Great Lakes lumber trade, Point Pelee wreck

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Schooner-Barges, Storm-related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

• Schooner-Barge: A vessel originally built as a Schooner but later converted for towing while retaining some sail rigging for stability.
• Foundered: A maritime term meaning the vessel sank, typically due to flooding or structural failure during rough weather.
• Hand Line: A rope used manually for transferring objects—or in this case, crew members—between vessels.
• Declared a Total Loss: An official designation indicating that the cost of repairing a damaged vessel exceeds its value.

Conclusion

The Hattie Wells had an extraordinarily resilient maritime career, surviving wrecks, fires, and declared lossesmultiple times before ultimately succumbing to a fierce Lake Michigan gale in 1912. Her story reflects both the dangers of Great Lakes navigation and the determination of maritime communities to keep vital cargo vessels operational despite significant hardships. Though her remains lie undiscovered beneath Lake Michigan, the Hattie Wells remains an enduring part of Great Lakes maritime history, symbolizing the rugged spirit of the Schooner-barges that fueled the region’s economy for generations.