1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The BRANDON was a schooner barge built in 1887 at the Montreal Transportation Co. yard in Kingston, Ontario. The vessel measured 167 feet (50.9 meters) in length and featured a round stern design. Equipped with three masts, the BRANDON was primarily used for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Upon its launch, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 540.54 tons and a net tonnage of 516.82 tons, reflecting its substantial cargo capacity.
3. HISTORY #
The BRANDON was launched on June 22, 1887, and quickly became an integral part of the Montreal Transportation Co.’s fleet. The barge was valued between $15,000 and $20,000 when newly built, a significant investment for the time. However, the BRANDON’s service was short-lived.
On October 1, 1888, while en route to Duluth, Minnesota, tragedy struck. The BRANDON, loaded with 1,100 tons of steel rails, was being towed by the Montreal Transportation Co. tug WALKER alongside the barges REGINA and JENNIE. During the voyage, the BRANDON broke loose and became waterlogged. The barge eventually sank in the cold, deep waters of Lake Superior, approximately 600 feet (183 meters) southwest of Isle Royale. The loss was speculated to be due in part to the vessel being overloaded with cargo.
The cargo of steel rails, valued at $10,000, was lost along with the vessel. Newspaper reports from the time indicated that the BRANDON was not insured, adding to the financial blow suffered by the owners. The vessel’s registry was formally closed on October 26, 1888. It is believed that the barge was named after the grain-shipping center of Brandon, Manitoba, reflecting its role in the grain and cargo trade on the Great Lakes.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The BRANDON sank on October 1, 1888, in Lake Superior, southwest of Isle Royale, in approximately 600 feet (183 meters) of water. The barge was lost due to waterlogging, possibly exacerbated by an overloaded cargo of steel rails. The vessel remains at the bottom of Lake Superior, with no successful recovery attempts recorded.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the BRANDON. The wreck lies in deep water, making it a challenging site for recovery or exploration.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the BRANDON has not been located or explored in detail. The vessel is presumed to rest in approximately 600 feet (183 meters) of water southwest of Isle Royale in Lake Superior.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given the depth at which the BRANDON lies, any exploration would require advanced deep-water diving technology. The wreck’s condition is unknown, but due to the cold and deep environment of Lake Superior, it is possible that the barge could be relatively well-preserved. However, access to the site is extremely limited due to its depth and the technological challenges associated with deep-water exploration.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The sinking of the BRANDON is a stark reminder of the hazards faced by vessels navigating the often unpredictable waters of Lake Superior. The loss of both the vessel and its valuable cargo of steel rails was a significant event in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. The fact that the BRANDON was uninsured only added to the tragedy, highlighting the financial risks involved in shipping during this era.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Given the depth at which the BRANDON sank, diving to the wreck site would require specialized deep-water equipment and expertise. The site is not accessible for recreational diving, and any exploration would likely be carried out by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or other advanced underwater technology. Due to the potential preservation of the wreck in Lake Superior’s cold, oxygen-poor waters, the BRANDON could be of significant interest to researchers and historians.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Schooner Barge
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
CONCLUSION #
The BRANDON, a schooner barge launched in 1887, met its untimely end just over a year later in the deep waters of Lake Superior. The loss of the vessel, along with its valuable cargo, underscores the dangers of Great Lakes navigation during the late 19th century. Today, the BRANDON rests in the depths of Lake Superior, a testament to the perilous nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes and a subject of ongoing interest for shipwreck enthusiasts and historians alike.