1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The W.O. BROWN was a wooden schooner built in 1862 by J.W. Leach in Buffalo, New York. Measuring 140 feet (42.7 meters) in length, 25 feet (7.6 meters) in beam, and 12 feet (3.7 meters) in depth, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 306 tons (400 tons by the old measurement). The schooner was designed for cargo transport, primarily engaging in the transportation of coal, pig iron, and grain across the Great Lakes.
3. HISTORY #
The W.O. BROWN had a storied history, marked by two significant incidents. In 1865, the vessel sank in Lake Erie following a collision with the bark A.P. Nichols while carrying a cargo of coal and pig iron. The schooner went down in approximately 24 feet (7.3 meters) of water, though the crew managed to escape unharmed. The vessel was later salvaged by J.P. Clarke and returned to service in September 1867.
The final and most tragic loss of the W.O. BROWN occurred on November 28, 1872. The schooner was en route from Duluth, Minnesota, when it encountered a fierce gale near Point Maimanse, Ontario, on Lake Superior. The violent storm drove the vessel ashore, where it was relentlessly pounded by the waves, leading to its complete destruction. Of the nine crew members on board, only three survived the ordeal, making it to safety at the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) on Christmas Day. At the time of its loss, the W.O. BROWN was carrying a cargo of wheat.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The W.O. BROWN was destroyed in the storm on November 28, 1872, near Point Maimanse, Ontario. The schooner was driven ashore by the gale and subsequently broke apart, leaving only three survivors out of the nine people on board. The vessel was a total loss, and its remains were never recovered.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the W.O. BROWN. The wreck site near Point Maimanse is likely difficult to locate due to the vessel’s complete destruction and the passage of time.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact location of the wreck of the W.O. BROWN remains unknown, as the vessel was destroyed by the storm in 1872. The site near Point Maimanse has not been documented or explored in detail, leaving the precise location of the remains uncertain.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given that the W.O. BROWN was completely destroyed by the storm, the condition of any remaining wreckage is unknown and likely minimal. The site, if located, would be of historical interest, but due to the likely scattered and deteriorated state of the wreckage, it may not be easily accessible or identifiable.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The loss of the W.O. BROWN highlights the perils of Great Lakes navigation, particularly in the late 19th century when storms could strike with little warning, leaving ships vulnerable. The survival of only three crew members in such harsh conditions underscores the dangers faced by mariners during this era. The W.O. BROWN’s history of recovery and final destruction is a testament to the resilience and eventual tragedy that characterized many vessels of the time.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
Due to the lack of a confirmed wreck site and the vessel’s reported complete destruction, diving opportunities related to the W.O. BROWN are extremely limited. If any remnants of the ship are discovered, they would likely be in poor condition and difficult to access. Divers interested in exploring Lake Superior’s shipwrecks should be aware of the region’s challenging conditions and the historical significance of sites like the W.O. BROWN.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Wooden Schooner
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
CONCLUSION #
The W.O. BROWN, a wooden schooner built in 1862, met its tragic end in a storm on Lake Superior in 1872. Despite its initial recovery after sinking in Lake Erie, the vessel could not survive the fury of Lake Superior’s waves. The loss of the W.O. BROWN serves as a reminder of the harsh and unforgiving nature of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during the era of wooden sailing ships. Today, the story of the W.O. BROWN remains a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Superior.