IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The R.C. Brittain was a wooden propeller-driven vessel, initially constructed as a passenger and freight ship. Built to navigate the Great Lakes, it had a sturdy wooden hull and was equipped with a single high-pressure steam engine. Throughout its operational life, the vessel was primarily used for transporting passengers, fruit, and lumber across the Great Lakes, serving routes between Chicago, St. Joseph, Saugatuck, and Holland.
HISTORY:
The R.C. Brittain was launched in 1877 in Saugatuck, Michigan, under the ownership of Ralph C. Brittain. The vessel quickly became a vital part of the transportation network on the Great Lakes, carrying various types of cargo and passengers along its routes. With its initial route connecting Chicago to St. Joseph and Saugatuck, the ship played a significant role in the regional economy, particularly in transporting fruit and lumber.
The ship underwent several rebuilds and ownership changes throughout its history. In 1880, the vessel was sold to Covell & Staples of Whitehall, Michigan. Subsequent owners included notable figures such as Peter D. Campbell, George Morley, William Peter, Alvin Peter, and Theobald Emig. By 1899, the ship had crossed into Canadian ownership under William Scott of Wallaceburg, Ontario, and was registered under the Canadian flag.
The vessel continued to serve the Great Lakes region until 1912 when a devastating fire broke out while the R.C. Brittain was docked in Sarnia, Ontario. The fire completely destroyed the ship, but fortunately, no lives were lost. Following the fire, the hull of the ship was initially set aside with the intention of rebuilding it in the future. However, in 1924, the hull sank at the dock, marking the end of any hope for its restoration.
In 1926, the remains of the R.C. Brittain were scrapped. However, in 1935, what was left of the wreck was removed from Sarnia Bay and scuttled in Lake Huron, where it rests to this day.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The R.C. Brittain met its final end when it was scrapped in 1926 after sinking at its dock in Sarnia, Ontario. The remnants of the vessel were later removed from Sarnia Bay in 1935 and were scuttled in Lake Huron, marking its final resting place beneath the lake’s waters.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the R.C. Brittain.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The remains of the R.C. Brittain were deliberately scuttled in Lake Huron in 1935 after being scrapped. The exact coordinates of the wreck have not been widely documented.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University
- Great Lakes Maritime History
KEYWORDS:
R.C. Brittain, wooden propeller ship, Great Lakes maritime history, Sarnia Bay, Lake Huron shipwreck, Great Lakes transportation, Saugatuck Michigan, 19th-century shipping.
CONCLUSION:
The story of the R.C. Brittain reflects the life of a hardworking vessel that served the Great Lakes for decades. From its construction in Saugatuck, Michigan, to its service as a passenger and freight ship, and ultimately to its tragic destruction by fire and subsequent sinking, the R.C. Brittain’s history is a testament to the ever-changing and sometimes perilous nature of maritime life on the Great Lakes. Today, the vessel rests in the depths of Lake Huron, a silent witness to the region’s rich maritime heritage.
