Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fayette Brown
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Stevens & Presley, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 178.5 ft (54.4 m); Beam: 31.3 ft (9.5 m); Depth of hold: 12.8 ft (3.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 553 tons; Net Tonnage: 525 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 18.3 m / 60 ft
- Location: Near Pelee Passage, Lake Erie, 8 miles below 'The Dummy' lighthouse
- Official Number: US 9784
- Original Owners: M. A. Bradley, Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Fayette Brown was a cargo schooner, built for transporting heavy loads across the Great Lakes. Its three-masted design allowed for efficient sailing and handling of large freight, including its last cargo of brownstone blocks.
Description
The Fayette Brown was constructed in Cleveland in 1868, designed to meet the growing needs of maritime trade on the Great Lakes. With a robust wooden hull and significant cargo capacity, it transported a variety of goods throughout its operational life.
Notably, the vessel had a history of accidents. In September 1872, it foundered in nearly the same area where it would ultimately meet its end in 1891.
History
On June 4, 1891, in foggy conditions near Pelee Passage, Lake Erie, the Fayette Brown collided with the steamer Northern Queen. The collision occurred almost stem-on, resulting in rapid flooding and the schooner sinking to the bottom in approximately 60 feet of water.
- Cargo: 176 brownstone blocks.
- Rescue: One crewman leapt aboard the Northern Queen, while others climbed the schooner’s masts. The steamer Robert Mills rescued the remaining crew.
- Fatalities: None reported.
Significant Incidents
The wreck posed a hazard to navigation and was later removed by the Amherstburg wrecker F. B. Hackett after legal disputes over ownership were resolved.
Final Disposition
The Fayette Brown was an integral part of Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th century. The vessel’s loss underscores the dangers of navigating Lake Erie, especially in foggy conditions, where collisions were a common risk.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck’s exact location near Pelee Passage was known immediately after the sinking. It was removed as a navigational hazard shortly thereafter, leaving minimal physical remains.
- Hazards: None currently, as the wreck was removed.
- Historical Context: The location near Pelee Passage and “The Dummy” lighthouse is historically significant due to frequent maritime activity and incidents.
Resources & Links
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The Fayette Brown was a testament to the challenges of Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th century. Despite its robust construction and storied career, the vessel’s ultimate fate highlights the hazards of foggy conditions and the congested waterways of Lake Erie. While the wreck no longer poses a navigational risk, its story endures as part of the rich maritime history of the region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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