Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hattie T. Brown
- Type: Propeller Tug/Ferry (originally built as a yacht)
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: 38 ft (11.58 m); Beam: 7 ft; Depth of hold: 3 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 7 gross tons
- Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: US 11952
- Original Owners: M.A. Davidson of West Bay City, Michigan (by 1880)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The HATTIE T. BROWN was originally constructed as a pleasure yacht in 1869 in Buffalo, New York. With its modest size and elegant design, the vessel was intended for leisure trips, offering a serene experience for its passengers. Later, the vessel was converted into a propeller tug and ferry, repurposed to serve a more functional role in the busy waters of the Great Lakes.
Description
The HATTIE T. BROWN began its life as a charming pleasure yacht, described in May 1868 as being in “perfect order” and ideal for delightful excursions down the river. It was a small but beautifully crafted vessel, offering a pleasant and leisurely experience on the water.
However, the vessel’s history took a tragic turn on October 11, 1872. While crossing the Saginaw River at night, the HATTIE T. BROWN collided with the tug RANSOM. The impact was catastrophic, causing the vessel to sink rapidly. In the disaster, seven lives were lost, making it a somber chapter in the vessel’s history. Despite the tragic loss, the HATTIE T. BROWN was eventually recovered the following year and returned to service.
In its later years, the vessel was owned by M.A. Davidson of West Bay City, Michigan, by 1880. However, its fate was sealed in November 1897, when the HATTIE T. BROWN sank in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. This marked the final chapter in the vessel’s storied history.
History
The HATTIE T. BROWN met its end in November 1897, sinking in the cold waters of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The circumstances of this final sinking are not well-documented, but it was the last entry in the vessel’s operational history.
Significant Incidents
- October 11, 1872: Collided with the tug RANSOM while crossing the Saginaw River at night, resulting in the sinking of the vessel and the loss of seven lives.
Final Disposition
The HATTIE T. BROWN sank in November 1897 in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The exact circumstances surrounding this sinking are not well-documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given the small size and wooden construction of the HATTIE T. BROWN, it is likely that the wreck has deteriorated significantly over the years. The exact location of the wreck remains unclear, and it may be accessible only to those with knowledge of historical shipwreck sites in Saginaw Bay.
Resources & Links
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The story of the HATTIE T. BROWN is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the 19th century. Originally a pleasure yacht, the vessel was repurposed over time but eventually succumbed to the risks of maritime navigation. Its tragic sinking in 1872 and final demise in 1897 are etched in the annals of Great Lakes history, highlighting both the vessel’s transition from leisure to labor and the dangers inherent in its operations.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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