Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hamilton Morton
- Type: Propeller-driven wooden bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Approximately mid-1100s GRT
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately mid-1100s GRT
- Location: Lake Erie, near Buffalo, New York
- Official Number: 11280
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven bulk freighter.
Description
The Hamilton Morton was a wooden freighter built in 1854 in Detroit, Michigan. It was designed for bulk transport and was powered by a propeller.
History
The vessel had a service history typical of wooden freighters of its time, operating in the Great Lakes region. It was registered under the official number 11280.
Significant Incidents
- Loss date: November 30, 1896.
- Incident: Shortly after departing Buffalo, bound up Lake Erie, she sprang a leak and sank in the shipping channel. The leak developed on her very first voyage after docking, indicating severe hull deterioration.
- Crew rescued: The crew was taken off by a tug named Hamilton Morton (a separate vessel), having narrowly avoided the sinking ship.
Final Disposition
- Declared a total constructive loss.
- Dismantled on-site to eliminate navigation hazard.
- Wreckage removed or broken up as dictated by shipping needs.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was dismantled in place by I. Coffin of Buffalo after water depth increased, with operations completed by September–October following the sinking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hamilton-morton-us-11280″ title=”References & Links”]
The Hamilton Morton suffered a sudden hull failure following departure from Buffalo in late 1896. Swift sinking in a critical shipping channel prompted immediate response: rescue of the crew, partial salvage, and eventual dismantling to clear the hazard. Its demise underscores the risks associated with aging wood hulls under commercial pressures and the importance of rapid maritime emergency planning.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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