Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H. Moore (also listed as Hannah Moore)
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Benjamin Hillier at Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: 69 ft × 21 ft × 6 ft; 74 GRT / 71 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 74 GRT / 71 NRT
- Location: Port Huron, Lake St. Clair
- Official Number: 11807
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden scow-schooner, a type of vessel commonly used for towing and transporting goods in the Great Lakes region.
Description
The H. Moore was a wooden scow-schooner measuring 69 feet in length, 21 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. It was built in 1868 by Benjamin Hillier in Port Huron, Michigan. The vessel had a registered tonnage of 74 gross tons and 71 net tons.
History
On July 7, 1891, the H. Moore was under tow by the tug D. N. Runnels while attempting to enter the Port Huron dry dock. During the maneuver, the towline parted unexpectedly, causing the H. Moore to drift uncontrolled downriver onto the ‘middle ground,’ approximately 200 feet from the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad dock channel. Multiple vessels subsequently struck and dismantled her while she lay adrift. Reports suggest that Captain Hemminger of Algonac may have intentionally destroyed the vessel using dynamite to clear the wreckage. The H. Moore was officially declared a total loss, with documentation surrendered in Port Huron on January 12, 1892, annotated ‘Wrecked, total loss.’
Significant Incidents
- July 7, 1891: The towline parted while under tow by the tug D. N. Runnels.
- The vessel drifted onto the middle ground and was struck by multiple vessels.
- Possible intentional destruction by dynamite to clear wreckage.
- Declared a total loss on January 12, 1892.
Final Disposition
The H. Moore was declared a total loss and its documentation was surrendered in Port Huron. The vessel likely remains at the site of the incident, but its remains may be minimal or nonexistent due to the clearing actions taken at the time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located in the middle of the St. Clair River near the railroad dock entrance in Port Huron. Due to the nature of the incident and subsequent actions, the remains of the H. Moore are likely minimal or have been completely cleared.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-moore-us-11807″ title=”References & Links”]
The H. Moore serves as a historical example of the risks faced by wooden barges under tow in confined river channels during the late 19th century, as well as the methods of wreck removal that were employed prior to modern marine salvage techniques.
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: H. Moore (also listed as Hannah Moore)
- Official No.: 11807
- Built: 1868, by Benjamin Hillier at Port Huron, Michigan
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner — 69 ft × 21 ft × 6 ft; 74 GRT / 71 NRT
- Final Voyage: Towing operation in the St. Clair River
- Loss Location: Port Huron, Lake St. Clair
Incident Details & Loss
On July 7, 1891, H. Moore was under tow by the tug D. N. Runnels, rounding to enter the Port Huron dry dock. During maneuvers:
- The towline parted unexpectedly.
- H. Moore drifted uncontrolled downriver onto the “middle ground,” approximately 200 ft from the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad dock channel.
- Multiple vessels subsequently struck and dismantled her while she lay adrift.
- Reports indicate she may have been intentionally destroyed (“blowed up with dynamite”) by Captain Hemminger of Algonac to clear wreckage.
- The vessel was officially declared a total loss, and documentation surrendered in Port Huron on January 12, 1892, annotated “Wrecked, total loss.”
Archival & Research Gaps
- Tow Vessel Log: Missing D. N. Runnels records detailing towing conditions and line failure.
- Crew Safety Records: Names and outcome for the crew aboard H. Moore remain undocumented.
- Engagement of Dynamite: Investigation into government or captain’s log for intentional wreck removal.
- Press Coverage: 1891 Port Huron and Algonac newspapers likely covered the incident and clearance actions.
Wreck & Field Survey Potential
- Wreck Site: Middle of the St. Clair River near the railroad dock entrance in Port Huron.
- Remains: Likely minimal or nonexistent—cleared at the time, possibly via explosion.
- City Infrastructure: The site may underlie the current riverbed near old dry dock facilities.
- Survey Approach:
- Historical chart analysis of the 1891 river bottom morphology.
- Subsurface sonar/magnetometer survey to detect buried iron fastenings or anchor chains.
- Archive-based mapping of the 1891 dry dock channel layout.
Historical & Archeological Significance
- Represents common risks for wooden barges under tow in confined river channels during the steam-railroad-dominated era.
- Demonstrates methods of wreck removal (e.g., using dynamite) prior to modern marine salvage.
- Offers a case study in riverine vessel traffic hazards, rapid response, and navigational safety in the late 19th century.
Next Steps
- Archive Requests:
- Tug D. N. Runnels log and tow records from Great Lakes shipping registries.
- Municipal and Customs House records in Port Huron for crew lists and disaster reports.
- Newspaper Research:
- July 1891 editions of Port Huron Daily Times and Algonac Courier for eyewitness coverage.
- Site Reconnaissance:
- Analyze historical maps and channel dredging records to pinpoint the grounding area.
- Deploy sonar/magnetometer teams to survey potential subsurface wreck fragments.