Shotline Diving

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Harriet A. Hart (City of Louisville R.C. Reid) US 110824

Explore the wreck of the Harriet A. Hart, a steam propeller vessel with a rich history and tragic loss in Lake Huron.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Harriet A. Hart
  • Type: Steam Propeller Vessel
  • Year Built: 1889
  • Builder: James Elliott
  • Dimensions: 177.58 ft (54.1 m) X 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3.0 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 554.49 Gross; 451.68 Net
  • Location: 4 miles southeast of DeTour, Michigan
  • Official Number: 110824
  • Original Owners: Graham & Morton Transportation Co.
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Harriet A. Hart was a steam propeller vessel originally built as the R.C. Reid. It underwent several name changes and modifications throughout its operational history.

Description

Constructed in 1889 in Saugatuck, Michigan, the Harriet A. Hart was a wooden vessel with a length of 177.58 feet and a beam of 26 feet. It was primarily used for freight and passenger services on the Great Lakes.

History

The vessel operated under various names, including R.C. Reid and City of Louisville, reflecting its changing ownership and service roles. It was involved in significant incidents, including a fire in 1901 that resulted in the death of a crew member.

Significant Incidents

  • January 18, 1901: The vessel burned nearly to the waterline at dock in Benton Harbor, resulting in the death of fireman Charles Southwell.
  • June 15, 1905: The vessel caught fire while en route from Cheboygan to DeTour and was beached at Bois Blanc Island.

Final Disposition

After the fire in 1905, the hull was towed to Amherstburg, Ontario, and the engines and boilers were salvaged by Hackett Towing & Wrecking Co.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Harriet A. Hart is located in Lake Huron and is accessible for diving. The condition of the wreck may vary, and divers are encouraged to document without touching the site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”harriet-a-hart-city-of-louisville-r-c-reid-us-110824″ title=”References & Links”]

The Harriet A. Hart serves as a significant historical example of the evolution of maritime operations on the Great Lakes, highlighting the challenges faced by vessels in the early 20th century.

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.

Identification & Build Information

  • Original Name: R.C. REID
  • Alternate Names:
    • CITY OF LOUISVILLE (1895–1901)
    • HARRIET A. HART (1901–1905)
  • U.S. Official Number: 110824
  • Rig: Propeller (Steam)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Built: 1889, Saugatuck, Michigan
  • Builder: James Elliott

Dimensions (Final Measured 1895)

  • Length: 177.58 ft (54.1 m)
  • Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m)
  • Depth: 10 ft (3.0 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 554.49
  • Net Tonnage: 451.68

Mechanical

  • Propulsion: Steam propeller
  • Engine & Boiler Salvaged: After 1905 loss

Operational History

  • 1889–1895: Operated as R.C. REID under initial enrollment at Grand Haven, Michigan.
  • 1891–1895: Rig modification and dimension changes; rebuilt with increased capacity.
  • 1895–1901: Renamed CITY OF LOUISVILLE under Graham & Morton Transportation Co.; used for freight and passenger service between Chicago and Benton Harbor, Michigan.
  • Jan 18, 1901: Burned nearly to the waterline at dock in Benton Harbor. Charles Southwell, 26, acting night watchman, perished attempting to fight the fire. The hull remained intact and was later rebuilt.
  • 1901–1905: Renamed HARRIET A. HART. Continued in freight service.

Final Disposition

  • Date: June 15, 1905
  • Location: 4 miles southeast of DeTour, Michigan (Lake Huron)
  • Incident: Fire while en route from Cheboygan to DeTour. Vessel was beached at Bois Blanc Island.
  • Aftermath: Hull towed to Amherstburg, Ontario. Engines and boilers salvaged by Hackett Towing & Wrecking Co.

Fatality: Charles Southwell

  • Age: 26
  • Role: Fireman and winter watchman for CITY OF LOUISVILLE
  • Hometown: Saugatuck, Michigan
  • Incident: Discovered early morning fire (Jan 18, 1901), started pony engine, attempted to retrieve hose. Overcome by heat/smoke and perished near coal scuttle. Body recovered and sent home for burial.

Source: Evening Press, St. Joseph, MI, Jan 18, 1901 (MHGL Clipping GLN.5049)

Archival References

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • U.S. Merchant Vessel Registers
  • Dowling Collection (University of Detroit Mercy)
  • Lytle-Holdcamper Index
  • Saugatuck Historical Maritime Data
  • Amherstburg Marine Salvage Records

Historical Significance

The R.C. REID / CITY OF LOUISVILLE serves as an illustrative case of conversion from barge to passenger vessel, reflecting evolving needs on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Her repeated rebuilds and final recovery efforts also showcase early marine salvage operations, while the fatal Benton Harbor fire underscores the hazards of winter layups in pre-modern fire safety eras.

harriet-a-hart-city-of-louisville-r-c-reid-us-110824 1905-06-15 18:02:00