Brothers (Three Brothers)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Brothers (formerly Three Brothers)
• Type: Wooden Paddle Wheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1839
• Builder: Unknown
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 150 tons
• Location: St. Clair River, near the lighthouse
• Original Owners: Eberts family; later Charles Davis

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Brothers, originally known as Three Brothers, was a wooden paddle wheel steamer designed for ferry and cargo operations. Built in 1839, the vessel was praised for its architectural design and passenger accommodations, reflecting the standards of mid-19th-century steamer construction. With a tonnage of 150 tons, it was a modest yet significant vessel for regional transportation.

Description

The Brothers, originally known as Three Brothers, was a wooden paddle wheel steamer designed for ferry and cargo operations. Built in 1839, the vessel was praised for its architectural design and passenger accommodations, reflecting the standards of mid-19th-century steamer construction. With a tonnage of 150 tons, it was a modest yet significant vessel for regional transportation.

History

The Three Brothers was launched in Chatham, Ontario, in 1839, initially owned by the Eberts family. It was lauded as a splendid new steamer, offering regular services between Chatham, Amherstburg, Windsor, and Detroit. Its design prioritized passenger comfort and operational efficiency, making it a well-regarded vessel in the region.

Later renamed Brothers, the steamer was acquired by Charles Davis of Chatham, who used it as a ferry and cargo vessel. It was notable for being the first ferry in the Chatham area, serving as a vital link for transportation and trade.

Significant Incidents

Final Voyage

In May or June of 1856, the Brothers encountered a severe storm on the St. Clair River, near the lighthouse. The vessel, carrying a cargo of bricks bound for Windsor, sank and was declared a total loss. Despite efforts to recover the wreck and its cargo, the ship was deemed irreparable. The insurance loss was reported as $5,500, a significant amount at the time. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

Final Disposition

The Brothers was abandoned as a wreck in the St. Clair River after the 1856 storm. The vessel and its cargo were not salvaged, and the steamer was written off as a complete loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The condition of the Brothers is unknown, as the wreck has not been located or explored. Any remnants, if they still exist, are likely buried beneath sediment or dispersed due to river currents and conditions over time.

Resources & Links

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The Brothers, originally launched as Three Brothers, played a vital role in mid-19th-century maritime commerce and passenger transport in the Chatham area. Despite its prominence as a ferry and cargo vessel, its life was cut short by a storm on the St. Clair River in 1856. The vessel’s story exemplifies the challenges faced by early steamers on the Great Lakes, serving as a historical reminder of the era’s innovation and the risks of navigation.