Identification & Site Information

• Name: J. Hanson
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 13761
• Date Built & Launched: 1867
• Builder: Hanson, Detroit, MI
• Measurements: 57 ft x 18 ft x 3 ft (17.4 m x 5.5 m x 0.9 m)
• Tonnage: 31 gross tons
• Date Lost: July 5, 1872
• Place of Loss: Port Huron, Michigan, St. Clair River
• Type of Loss: Collision
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Brick12,000 bricks

Vessel Type

The J. Hanson was a wooden scow-schooner, a type of flat-bottomed sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk materials such as lumber, stone, and brick.

Description

Scow-schooners were widely used in the mid-to-late 19th century due to their shallow Draft and ability to carry heavy cargoes at relatively low cost. The J. Hanson was a relatively small example of this vessel type, built in Detroit in 1867. Despite its size, it was capable of hauling large loads, such as the 12,000 bricks it was carrying at the time of its sinking.

History

The J. Hanson operated as a cargo carrier, likely making short-haul trips between ports on Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River. Scow-schooners were workhorses of the Great Lakes, moving essential building materials and goods to the rapidly growing cities of the region.

On July 5, 1872, the J. Hanson was docked at the Waterworks Dock in Port Huron, Michigan, about 1.5 miles south of Lake Huron. At the same time, the Steamer Toledo was navigating the St. Clair River when it was forced to veer off course to avoid two racing tugboats. In the maneuver, Toledo’s propeller became entangled in an anchor line, causing it to lose steering control. The Steamer then collided with the J. Hanson, striking it amidships.

The force of the impact was severe enough to cut through the wooden Hull, causing the J. Hanson to capsize and sink rapidly. Despite the dramatic loss of the vessel, no lives were lost.

Final Disposition

The J. Hanson was considered a Total Loss after sinking in the St. Clair River. Its official documentation was surrendered in Port Huron on November 3, 1877, with an annotation stating it had been wrecked in 1872. There are no known records of salvage or recovery of the wreck.

Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the J. Hanson wreck. Given its shallow-water sinking location, any remains may have been removed or buried under silt and debris.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No known modern navigational hazards associated with the wreck site.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The loss of the J. Hanson is an example of the navigational hazards that were common in the congested waterways of the Great Lakes. Port Huron, at the entrance to Lake Huron, was a busy shipping corridor where vessels of all sizes had to navigate through heavy traffic, currents, and unpredictable incidents. The collision with Toledo highlights how quickly things could go wrong, even for ships safely tied up at dock.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: J. Hanson shipwreck, St. Clair River shipwrecks, Port Huron maritime history, Great Lakes scow-schooners, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Toledo Steamer collision
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Accidents, Collision Wrecks, St. Clair River Navigation
• Glossary Terms: Scow-Schooner, Collision, St. Clair River, Propeller Fouling, Ship Capsizing