Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Shipwreck Report: Albert Wright

Name: Albert Wright (formerly Annie Pratt, originally Annie Reid)

• Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
• Build Information:
  • Year Built: 1875
  • Location: Port Hope, Ontario, Canada
  • Builder: H. Hacker (built on the bottom of the Annie Reid)
  • Original Builder (Annie Reid): Van Slyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY, 1863
• Hull: Wooden
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 57 feet (17.4 meters)
  • Beam: 12.6 feet (3.8 meters)
  • Depth: 7.9 feet (2.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 29 tons
• Net Tonnage: 21 tons
• Official Canadian Number: 77915
• Final Location: Not documented
• Date of Loss: Not documented

Vessel Type Description

The Albert Wright was a wooden screw-propelled tugboat designed for towing and maritime support operations. It was built in 1875, utilizing the hull of the earlier schooner Annie Reid, showcasing the ingenuity of repurposing vessels during the 19th century. Tugboats like the Albert Wright were essential on the Great Lakes, providing logistical support for larger ships and aiding in navigation through harbors and waterways.

History

The Albert Wright began its life as the Annie Reid, built in 1863 in Buffalo, New York. With a gross tonnage of 76 tons, the schooner served for over a decade before being decommissioned. In 1875, H. Hacker rebuilt the vessel’s hull in Port Hope, Ontario, transforming it into the Albert Wright—a smaller, more versatile tugboat with a gross tonnage of 29 tons.

The tugboat was first registered in Port Hope, Ontario, and played a vital role in towing and harbor operations across the Great Lakes. By 1899, the Albert Wright was owned by J. Swift of Port Hope, who used the vessel for similar purposes.

Sometime later, the vessel was renamed Ahteek and registered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, under the ownership of W.H. Plummer by 1905. This name change reflects the common practice of renaming vessels to suit new owners or operational needs.

Final Disposition

Details surrounding the Albert Wright’s demise remain unclear. There is no record of its loss or wreckage in available maritime databases. It may have been decommissioned or lost without significant incident, a common fate for many smaller working vessels of the era.

Notmar & Advisories

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Albert Wright.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Albert Wright has not been located, and no formal documentation exists regarding its final resting place or condition.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to the lack of information about the vessel’s final fate, the condition and accessibility of the Albert Wright remain unknown. It is not considered a significant site for exploration or diving.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Keywords

Albert Wright, Annie Reid, Ahteek, Tugboat, Towboat, Port Hope, Sault Ste. Marie, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Maritime History, Wooden Tug

Conclusion

The Albert Wright reflects the resourcefulness and adaptability of 19th-century shipbuilding, as it began life as the schooner Annie Reidand was later repurposed into a tugboat. Serving multiple owners across decades, the vessel was integral to the maritime economy of the Great Lakes. While the details of its final fate are lost to history, the Albert Wright remains a testament to the dynamic life cycles of working vessels during this era.

albert-wright-annie-pratt-ahteek-c-77915 1905-03-14 07:51:00