Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.B. Tuttle
- Type: Wooden bulk freight propeller
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: LaFrinier & Quelos, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 180 ft (54.9 m); Beam: 31 ft (9.4 m); Depth of hold: 13 ft (4.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 845 GT
- Location: Off Marblehead, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 95092
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The H.B. Tuttle was a wooden-hulled, steam-powered bulk freighter designed for Great Lakes bulk cargo transport.
Description
The H.B. Tuttle primarily carried coal, iron ore, grain, and other heavy freight between Lake Erie ports. She operated as part of a steamer/consort system, towing unpowered schooner-barges to increase cargo capacity efficiently.
History
Built in 1871 in Cleveland, Ohio, by LaFrinier & Quelos, the H.B. Tuttle was part of an aging fleet of wooden bulk freighters that were gradually being replaced by steel-hulled vessels by the early 20th century.
Significant Incidents
- September 15, 1906: Caught in a gale on Lake Erie while carrying a load of coal, the vessel sprang a leak and was beached off Marblehead, Ohio.
- The U.S. Lifesaving Service rescued the crew and attempted to salvage the vessel.
- After being refloated and towed to Sandusky, Ohio, the hull broke in two before repairs could be completed, leading to her sinking at the dock.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss after breaking apart in Sandusky. No records of further salvage efforts. Portions of the wreck may still remain near Sandusky.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck site. Any remains are likely buried beneath dock expansions or sediment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-b-tuttle-us-95092″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The H.B. Tuttle was one of the many wooden bulk freighters that dominated Great Lakes commerce in the late 19th century. After 35 years of service, she met her end during a storm on Lake Erie, ultimately breaking apart and sinking in Sandusky, Ohio. Though her exact remains are unknown, her story is a testament to the challenges faced by early steam freighters and the rapid evolution of Great Lakes shipping at the turn of the century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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