Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hattie L. Johnson
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: S. Johnson, Clayton, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 227 tons
- Location: Off the harbor entrance at Oswego, New York
- Official Number: U.S. Official No. 42513
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Schooner-Barge
Description
The Hattie L. Johnson was a wooden schooner-barge constructed in 1872 by S. Johnson in Clayton, New York. Measuring 137 feet (41.8 meters) in length and registering 227 gross tons, she was designed for the transportation of bulk cargo, primarily coal. Schooner-barges like the Hattie L. Johnson were typically towed by steam tugs, serving as consorts to larger vessels, and were integral to Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th century due to their large storage capacities and minimal crew requirements.
History
Construction and Early Career
Built in 1872, the Hattie L. Johnson was registered in Ogdensburg, New York, a strategic port on the St. Lawrence River. She was primarily employed in transporting coal, a vital commodity for heating and industrial use during the era.
Previous Incidents
- 1879: The vessel suffered a significant wreck on Lake Michigan, leading to extensive damage.
- 1880: Following the 1879 incident, the Hattie L. Johnson was salvaged and underwent substantial repairs.
- 1881: After repairs, she returned to service, continuing her coal transport duties. (NPS History)
Significant Incidents
Final Voyage and Wreck
On October 3, 1885, the Hattie L. Johnson, laden with coal, was being towed by the tug Proctor on Lake Ontario. Amid deteriorating weather conditions, the captain attempted to seek shelter at Oswego harbor. However, strong winds and rough waters caused the barge to break free from its tow. Adrift and uncontrollable, the vessel grounded near the lifesaving station at Oswego.
Aftermath
- Crew Survival: All six crew members aboard the Hattie L. Johnson managed to safely reach shore without assistance.
- Abandonment: Following the grounding, the barge was stripped of valuable components and abandoned on the shoreline.
- Legacy: Despite its repair after a previous wreck in Lake Michigan, the vessel’s final wreck underscores the challenges faced by schooner-barges on the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition
Connection to the Tuscarora
The Hattie L. Johnson shares historical ties with another vessel named Tuscarora. While specific details of this connection are unclear, the association may stem from common ownership, operational overlap, or involvement in shared incidents during their operational lifetimes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Hattie L. Johnson was abandoned near Oswego’s harbor, and any remnants of the vessel likely lie buried or have deteriorated due to exposure and time. The site is not marked as a diving location, and the shallow, coastal conditions where it grounded may render the wreck inaccessible or obscured.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hattie-l-johnson-us-42513″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Hattie L. Johnson epitomizes the operational challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Though built as a durable and reliable coal carrier, the vessel’s history of wrecks highlights the harsh conditions that schooner-barges and their crews endured. Its final grounding at Oswego reflects the region’s maritime history, where storms frequently determined the fate of even the most robust vessels.
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
- Vessel Name: Hattie L. Johnson
- Former Names: None recorded
- Official Registration Number: U.S. Official No. 42513
- Date Built & Launched: 1872
- Builder: S. Johnson, Clayton, New York
- Construction: Wooden schooner-barge
- Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 227 tons
- Registered Port: Ogdensburg, New York
- Final Resting Place: Off the harbor entrance at Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Depth: Stranded ashore(newyorkalmanack.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
Wooden Schooner-Barge
Description
The Hattie L. Johnson was a wooden schooner-barge constructed in 1872 by S. Johnson in Clayton, New York. Measuring 137 feet (41.8 meters) in length and registering 227 gross tons, she was designed for the transportation of bulk cargo, primarily coal. Schooner-barges like the Hattie L. Johnson were typically towed by steam tugs, serving as consorts to larger vessels, and were integral to Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th century due to their large storage capacities and minimal crew requirements.
History
Construction and Early Career
Built in 1872, the Hattie L. Johnson was registered in Ogdensburg, New York, a strategic port on the St. Lawrence River. She was primarily employed in transporting coal, a vital commodity for heating and industrial use during the era.
Previous Incidents
- 1879: The vessel suffered a significant wreck on Lake Michigan, leading to extensive damage.
- 1880: Following the 1879 incident, the Hattie L. Johnson was salvaged and underwent substantial repairs.
- 1881: After repairs, she returned to service, continuing her coal transport duties.(NPS History)
Final Voyage and Wreck
On October 3, 1885, the Hattie L. Johnson, laden with coal, was being towed by the tug Proctor on Lake Ontario. Amid deteriorating weather conditions, the captain attempted to seek shelter at Oswego harbor. However, strong winds and rough waters caused the barge to break free from its tow. Adrift and uncontrollable, the vessel grounded near the lifesaving station at Oswego.
Aftermath
- Crew Survival: All six crew members aboard the Hattie L. Johnson managed to safely reach shore without assistance.
- Abandonment: Following the grounding, the barge was stripped of valuable components and abandoned on the shoreline.
- Legacy: Despite its repair after a previous wreck in Lake Michigan, the vessel’s final wreck underscores the challenges faced by schooner-barges on the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.
Connection to the Tuscarora
The Hattie L. Johnson shares historical ties with another vessel named Tuscarora. While specific details of this connection are unclear, the association may stem from common ownership, operational overlap, or involvement in shared incidents during their operational lifetimes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Hattie L. Johnson was abandoned near Oswego’s harbor, and any remnants of the vessel likely lie buried or have deteriorated due to exposure and time. The site is not marked as a diving location, and the shallow, coastal conditions where it grounded may render the wreck inaccessible or obscured.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Hattie L. Johnson
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Library and Archives Canada(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The Hattie L. Johnson epitomizes the operational challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Though built as a durable and reliable coal carrier, the vessel’s history of wrecks highlights the harsh conditions that schooner-barges and their crews endured. Its final grounding at Oswego reflects the region’s maritime history, where storms frequently determined the fate of even the most robust vessels.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
Keywords: Hattie L. Johnson, Schooner-Barge, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Oswego Harbor, Tug Proctor, Coal Transport, Ogdensburg, New York, 19th Century Shipwrecks
Categories: Wooden Shipwrecks, Lost Vessels of Lake Ontario, 19th Century Shipbuilding
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner-Barge: A sailing vessel designed for cargo transport, often towed by steam tugs, with minimal crew requirements.
- Gross Tonnage: A measure of a ship’s overall internal volume.
- Mooring Lines: Ropes or cables used to secure a vessel to a dock or another fixed object.