Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hattie Earl
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: South Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: 96 × 23 × 7 ft; 101 GRT, 96 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 101 GRT, 96 NRT
- Location: Near Michigan City, Indiana
- Official Number: 11175
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A standard coastal freight schooner adapted for Great Lakes trade, built for hauling lumber and general cargo between smaller ports.
Description
The Hattie Earl was a wooden two-masted schooner, constructed in 1869 in South Haven, Michigan. With dimensions of 96 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and a depth of 7 feet, she had a registered tonnage of 101 gross and 96 net tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting hardwood and other cargo along the Great Lakes.
History
Throughout her service, the Hattie Earl experienced multiple command changes, which were marred by tragedies. Captain Gess, who commanded the vessel in the mid to late 1880s, committed suicide by jumping overboard between Ludington and Manistee. Later, Captain S. P. Allmehringer was found dead alongside a woman in Benton Harbor, suspected to be a joint suicide. Despite these incidents, the vessel continued to operate until she ran aground on 16 September 1893 during a strong gale near Michigan City, Indiana.
Significant Incidents
- Captain Gess (mid-late 1880s): Committed suicide by jumping overboard between Ludington and Manistee.
- Captain S. P. Allmehringer (~1893): Found dead alongside a woman in Benton Harbor—believed to be captain of the Hattie Earl; suspected joint suicide.
- Captain Hazen: Listed in marine registry logs (Bay City), no incidents recorded during command.
Final Disposition
The gale that struck on 16 September 1893 drove the Hattie Earl onto the beach, where she was battered beyond repair. All crew members reached shore safely, and no salvage efforts were recorded. The hull was abandoned and left to break apart.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known underwater or archaeological survey confirms the remains of the Hattie Earl. Currently, there are no navigational markers or hazard warnings denoting the wreck. The approximate wreck zone lies in shallow waters or the surf zone off Michigan City, which may pose seasonal risks to small craft.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hattie-earl-us-11175″ title=”References & Links”]
The Hattie Earl, launched in 1869, navigated Lake Michigan’s coastal freight routes until a severe gale grounded her at Michigan City on 16 September 1893. Though she survived earlier tragedies involving her captains, the vessel herself became an irrecoverable wreck. Today, no confirmed site exists, but her story remains part of the layered history of Great Lakes schooners.
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: Hattie Earl
- Built: 1869, South Haven, Michigan (newspapers.library.in.gov, en.wikipedia.org)
- Vessel Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Official Number: 11175 (en.wikipedia.org)
- Dimensions: 96 × 23 × 7 ft; 101 GRT, 96 NRT
- Final Loss: 16 September 1893, grounded near Michigan City, Indiana, Lake Michigan (newspapers.library.in.gov)
- Cargo: Hardwood (per newspaper)
- Crew: Survived, no casualties reported
Vessel Type
A standard coastal freight schooner adapted for Great Lakes trade, built for hauling lumber and general cargo between smaller ports.
History & Incidents
Multiple command changes marred her career:
- Captain Gess (mid-late 1880s): Committed suicide by jumping overboard between Ludington and Manistee while under her command (en.wikipedia.org).
- Captain S. P. Allmehringer (~1893): Found dead alongside a woman in Benton Harbor—believed to be captain of the Hattie Earl; suspected joint suicide (newspapers.library.in.gov).
- Captain Hazen: Listed in marine registry logs (Bay City), no incidents recorded during command .
Despite these tragedies, she continued service until 16 September 1893, when she ran aground near Michigan City during a strong gale. A newspaper report noted:
“The three‑masted schooner Hattie Earl, loaded for this port with hard wood, went ashore.” (newspapers.library.in.gov)
Final Disposition
The gale drove her onto the beach where she was battered beyond repair. All crew reached shore; no salvage efforts are recorded. The hull was abandoned and left to break apart.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return. No known underwater or archaeological survey confirms her remains.
Notations & Advisories
No navigational markers or hazard warnings currently denote the wreck. The approximate wreck zone lies in shallow waters or surf zone off Michigan City and may pose seasonal risk to small craft.
Resources & Links
- Registry and vessel dimensions from marine records (en.wikipedia.org)
- Captain Gess suicide report
- Allmehringer case article
- Michigan City wreck report (17 Sept 1893)
Conclusion
The Hattie Earl, launched in 1869, navigated Lake Michigan’s coastal freight routes until a severe gale grounded her at Michigan City on 16 September 1893. Though she survived earlier tragedies involving her captains, the vessel herself became an irrecoverable wreck. Today, no confirmed site exists, but her story remains part of the layered history of Great Lakes schooners.
Next Steps
- Access Bay City registry logs for Captain Hazen to confirm his tenure or build data
- Retrieve Benton Harbor coroner’s records for the Allmehringer inquest
- Pull Michigan City newspaper editions from September 1893 detailing wreck coordinates and post-storm salvage activity