IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Briton was a steel bulk freighter built in 1891, designed primarily for the transportation of heavy bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, and other raw materials across the Great Lakes. With its triple expansion steam engine, the vessel was well-equipped for the challenging conditions of the lakes, offering reliability and significant cargo capacity. Bulk freighters like the Briton were essential to the industrial economy of the Great Lakes region, enabling the efficient movement of large quantities of goods between ports.
HISTORY #
The Briton was constructed in 1891 by the Globe Iron Works in Cleveland, Ohio, a notable shipbuilder during that period. The vessel was initially owned by the Menominee Transit Company and quickly became involved in a significant maritime incident. On June 2, 1892, the Briton collided with the steamer Progress in the Detroit River, leading to the sinking of the Progress. The Briton sustained damage but was subsequently repaired and returned to service.
Throughout its operational life, the Briton changed ownership several times. It was owned by various companies, including the National Steel Company, the Canada Atlantic Line, the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, the Intercoast Steamship Company, and finally the Buckeye Steamship Company of Cleveland. The vessel was primarily used to transport bulk cargoes, including flax and wheat, across the Great Lakes, contributing to the region’s industrial and agricultural economy.
The Briton met its final fate on November 13, 1929, near Buffalo, New York, in Lake Erie. The vessel ran aground at Point Abino due to foggy conditions and a faulty navigation aid on shore. Although salvage efforts were attempted, the ship was eventually deemed a navigational hazard and was destroyed with dynamite around 1932. The wreck of the Briton remains submerged near Point Abino, a silent reminder of the hazards faced by freighters on the Great Lakes.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Briton ran aground at Point Abino on November 13, 1929, and was later destroyed by dynamite around 1932 due to its status as a navigational hazard. The wreck remains submerged in the waters near Port Colborne, Lake Erie.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Briton was destroyed around 1932 after being declared a navigational hazard. The exact date of the wreck’s discovery or its subsequent documentation is not specified.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently active regarding this wreck site. The Briton does not pose a significant navigational hazard today, but it remains a point of interest for divers.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- YouTube – For potential underwater video footage of the Briton wreck.
- Great Lakes Vessel History
CONCLUSION #
The Briton represents the storied history of bulk freighters on the Great Lakes, vessels that were integral to the region’s economy. Despite its untimely demise near Point Abino, the Briton played a crucial role in the transportation of goods across the lakes. The wreck, though partially destroyed, continues to be of interest to maritime historians and divers exploring the rich underwater heritage of Lake Erie.
Keywords #
Briton bulk freighter, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Port Colborne wrecks, Lake Erie shipwrecks, Point Abino wreck, Great Lakes maritime history, bulk cargo transport, maritime incidents, underwater exploration, industrial history of the Great Lakes
