Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Brockville
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger and package freight steamer
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: William Saunders, Brockville, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 136 ft (41.5 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 398 gross tons; 341 net tons
- Location: Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: George Chaffey & Bros of Kingston, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Brockville was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven steamer designed for passenger and package freight service. Such vessels were integral to 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers between Canadian and American ports.
Description
Constructed in 1863 by William Saunders in Brockville, Ontario, the Brockville measured 136 feet in length with a beam of 24 feet and a depth of 12 feet. She was registered at 398 gross tons and 341 net tons. Owned by George Chaffey & Bros of Kingston, Ontario, the vessel was employed in the transportation of passengers and freight across the Great Lakes, a vital link in the supply chain between Canadian and American markets.
History
In the mid-19th century, the Great Lakes were a bustling corridor for maritime trade, with vessels like the Brockville playing a crucial role in the movement of goods and people. On November 4, 1865, while carrying a cargo of 2,400 barrels of flour from Milwaukee to Montreal, the Brockville encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. The vessel was driven ashore near Big Sable Point, a location notorious for shipwrecks due to its treacherous waters and shifting sands. Despite the perilous conditions, most of the crew managed to save themselves, though three lives were lost in the incident. The Brockville was declared a total loss following the wreck.
It’s worth noting that some historical records have erroneously reported the wreck as occurring at Au Sable Point on Lake Huron. However, contemporary accounts and maritime records confirm that the Brockville met her end at Big Sable Point on Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- November 4, 1865: The Brockville was driven ashore during a storm while en route from Milwaukee to Montreal, resulting in the loss of three lives.
Final Disposition
The Brockville was declared a total loss after being driven ashore and wrecked near Big Sable Point. Given the technology and resources of the time, salvage operations would have been limited, and it’s likely that the remains of the vessel were left to deteriorate on the shore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no documented discovery of the Brockville‘s wreck site in modern times. The exact location remains unconfirmed, and the wreck has not been located or surveyed by contemporary maritime archaeologists.
There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the Brockville‘s wreck site. Given the passage of time and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”brockville-1863″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Brockville serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Her loss highlights the dangers inherent in maritime navigation during an era when weather forecasting was rudimentary and rescue resources were limited. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the Brockville‘s story contributes to our understanding of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Brockville
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built and Launched: 1863
- Builder: William Saunders, Brockville, Ontario
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger and package freight steamer
- Dimensions: Length: 136 ft (41.5 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Tonnage: 398 gross tons; 341 net tons
- Date Lost: November 4, 1865
- Location of Loss: Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan
- Cause of Loss: Driven ashore during a storm while en route from Milwaukee to Montreal with a cargo of 2,400 barrels of flour (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
The Brockville was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven steamer designed for passenger and package freight service. Such vessels were integral to 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, facilitating the transport of goods and passengers between Canadian and American ports.
Description
Constructed in 1863 by William Saunders in Brockville, Ontario, the Brockville measured 136 feet in length with a beam of 24 feet and a depth of 12 feet. She was registered at 398 gross tons and 341 net tons. Owned by George Chaffey & Bros of Kingston, Ontario, the vessel was employed in the transportation of passengers and freight across the Great Lakes, a vital link in the supply chain between Canadian and American markets.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
In the mid-19th century, the Great Lakes were a bustling corridor for maritime trade, with vessels like the Brockvilleplaying a crucial role in the movement of goods and people. On November 4, 1865, while carrying a cargo of 2,400 barrels of flour from Milwaukee to Montreal, the Brockville encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. The vessel was driven ashore near Big Sable Point, a location notorious for shipwrecks due to its treacherous waters and shifting sands. Despite the perilous conditions, most of the crew managed to save themselves, though three lives were lost in the incident. The Brockville was declared a total loss following the wreck.
It’s worth noting that some historical records have erroneously reported the wreck as occurring at Au Sable Point on Lake Huron. However, contemporary accounts and maritime records confirm that the Brockville met her end at Big Sable Point on Lake Michigan.
Final Disposition
The Brockville was declared a total loss after being driven ashore and wrecked near Big Sable Point. Given the technology and resources of the time, salvage operations would have been limited, and it’s likely that the remains of the vessel were left to deteriorate on the shore.
Located By & Date Found
There is no documented discovery of the Brockville‘s wreck site in modern times. The exact location remains unconfirmed, and the wreck has not been located or surveyed by contemporary maritime archaeologists.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the Brockville‘s wreck site. Given the passage of time and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: Brockville(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The Brockville serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Her loss highlights the dangers inherent in maritime navigation during an era when weather forecasting was rudimentary and rescue resources were limited. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the Brockville‘s story contributes to our understanding of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.
brockville-1863 1865-11-04 19:02:00