Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Brightie
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner
Description
The Brightie was a two-masted wooden schooner constructed in 1868, primarily used for transporting pulpwood across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were common during the 19th century, serving as essential cargo vessels in the region’s booming timber industry.
History
The Brightie operated during a period when the Great Lakes were a bustling corridor for maritime trade, particularly in timber. On August 23, 1928, while carrying a cargo of pulpwood, the vessel encountered a mild storm. Despite the relatively calm conditions, the aging 60-year-old hull could not withstand the stress, and the seams opened, leading to the vessel’s sinking. Specific details regarding the exact location of the wreck or any casualties have not been found in the available records.
Significant Incidents
- August 23, 1928: The Brightie sank after seams opened during a mild storm while carrying pulpwood.
Final Disposition
Seams opened during a mild storm on August 23, 1928; vessel sank and was declared a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No records found indicating the discovery or current location of the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”brightie-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
The Brightie serves as a representative example of the numerous schooners that navigated the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which met their end due to the region’s unpredictable and often treacherous weather conditions. While specific details about the vessel’s dimensions and the exact circumstances of its wreck remain scarce, its story contributes to the broader narrative of maritime history in the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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