Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Hamilton Morton US 11280

Explore the wreck of the Hamilton Morton, a wooden freighter that sank in Lake Erie in 1896 after a sudden leak. No loss of life occurred.

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

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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.

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.

(wooden propeller freighter, built 1854)

Identification & Vessel Information

  • Name: Hamilton Morton
  • Official number: 11280
  • Built: 1854 in Detroit, Michigan
  • Type: Propeller-driven wooden bulk freighter
  • Tonnage: Approximately mid‑100s GRT

Final Incident & Loss Details

  • 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—which indicates 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 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).

Wreck Outcome & Site Handling

  • The hull rapidly flooded and sank mid-channel; no loss of life occurred.
  • The steel tug Michigan (US Navy) attempted—but failed—to tow her off the shipping channel in early September following the sinking.
  • In late September, the steamer Watchman incidentally passed between her partially submerged arches, highlighting the wreck’s shallow depth and disruption to navigation (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • The remains were dismantled in place by I. Coffin of Buffalo after water depth increased, and operations were completed by September–October time frame (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Final Disposition

  • Declared a total constructive loss
  • Dismantled on-site to eliminate navigation hazard
  • Wreckage removed or broken up as dictated by shipping needs

Archival Gaps & Further Inquiry

  • Construction specifics: Build records from 1854 Detroit shipyard may clarify dimensions and ownership.
  • Cause of leak: Hull deterioration or damage sustained at sea? Naval engineering logs or surveyor reports could offer clues.
  • Crew identity: The names of crew rescued by the tug should be available in Buffalo harbor or tug logs.
  • Tug service records: Hull usage suggests tug was active in salvage; logs may note the rescue and initial sinking.
  • Navigation hazard management: Port authority documents and I. Coffin’s records could detail clearing operations.

Conclusion

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.

hamilton-morton-us-11280 1896-11-30 14:16:00