IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
|
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The KATE L. BRUCE was a three-masted wooden schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These vessels were built for cargo transportation, typically carrying bulk goods such as grain, lumber, and coal. Schooners were favored for their speed, agility, and the ability to operate with relatively small crews, making them economically viable for their owners.
HISTORY #
The KATE L. BRUCE was constructed in 1872 by Hanson & Scove in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. As a new addition to the fleet of Great Lakes schooners, she represented the robust shipbuilding practices of the time, designed to withstand the rigors of lake navigation. The schooner was owned by L. Lindgren of Chicago, who employed her in the grain trade, a lucrative business during this period of American industrial expansion.
Unfortunately, the KATE L. BRUCE had a troubled history almost from the beginning. In November 1872, she sank in Lake Erie, an event that would have spelled the end for many vessels. However, she was salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, showing the determination of her owners to keep her operational.
In 1873, disaster struck again when she sank in Lake Michigan. Once more, the vessel was salvaged and rebuilt, a testament to the resilience of both the schooner and her crew. However, the series of misfortunes culminated in a tragic end on November 8, 1877. While carrying a cargo of wheat and having been towed by the tug Johnson, the KATE L. BRUCE was released to sail independently. She disappeared in heavy weather off 40-mile Point, Michigan. It is speculated that she collided with another vessel, resulting in the loss of both ships and the lives of all eight crew members, including Captain Hans Hanson.
The remains of the KATE L. BRUCE were later found in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, in 1879, two years after her disappearance. Evidence of the wreck, including the ship’s lifeboat and mainmast, washed ashore near Thunder Bay Light, confirming her tragic fate.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The KATE L. BRUCE was ultimately lost in Lake Huron in November 1877. Her exact cause of sinking remains uncertain, though it is believed to have been a collision with an unknown vessel during a storm. The wreck was discovered in 1879 in six fathoms of water in Thunder Bay, serving as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the KATE L. BRUCE was discovered in the fall of 1879 in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, two years after her disappearance.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No specific NOTMARs (Notices to Mariners) or advisories were issued related to the wreck of the KATE L. BRUCE. Given the depth of the wreck and its location in Thunder Bay, it does not pose a significant obstruction to modern navigation. However, mariners are always advised to be cautious in areas known for historical wrecks.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
Conclusion #
The KATE L. BRUCE was a vessel plagued by misfortune, enduring multiple sinkings before her final, tragic loss in Lake Huron. Her story is a poignant reminder of the dangers that schooners and their crews faced while navigating the Great Lakes, where sudden storms and unexpected collisions could turn a routine voyage into a disaster. The discovery of her wreck in 1879 brought closure to the mystery of her disappearance but also underscored the perilous nature of maritime life in the 19th century.
Keywords #
#KatelBruce #GreatLakesShipwreck #LakeHuron #Schooner #19thCenturyMaritime #ShipwreckHistory #ThunderBay #MaritimeTragedy #GreatLakesHistory #SailingVessels
