Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: KATE L. BRUCE
- Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Hanson & Scove, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 307 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10.97 m / 36 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: US 14277
- Original Owners: L. Lindgren, Chicago
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The KATE L. BRUCE was a three-masted wooden schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These vessels were built for cargo transportation, typically carrying bulk goods such as grain, lumber, and coal. Schooners were favored for their speed, agility, and the ability to operate with relatively small crews, making them economically viable for their owners.
Description
The KATE L. BRUCE was constructed in 1872 by Hanson & Scove in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. As a new addition to the fleet of Great Lakes schooners, she represented the robust shipbuilding practices of the time, designed to withstand the rigors of lake navigation. The schooner was owned by L. Lindgren of Chicago, who employed her in the grain trade, a lucrative business during this period of American industrial expansion.
History
Unfortunately, the KATE L. BRUCE had a troubled history almost from the beginning. In November 1872, she sank in Lake Erie, an event that would have spelled the end for many vessels. However, she was salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, showing the determination of her owners to keep her operational.
In 1873, disaster struck again when she sank in Lake Michigan. Once more, the vessel was salvaged and rebuilt, a testament to the resilience of both the schooner and her crew. However, the series of misfortunes culminated in a tragic end on November 8, 1877. While carrying a cargo of wheat and having been towed by the tug Johnson, the KATE L. BRUCE was released to sail independently. She disappeared in heavy weather off 40-mile Point, Michigan. It is speculated that she collided with another vessel, resulting in the loss of both ships and the lives of all eight crew members, including Captain Hans Hanson.
The remains of the KATE L. BRUCE were later found in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, in 1879, two years after her disappearance. Evidence of the wreck, including the ship’s lifeboat and mainmast, washed ashore near Thunder Bay Light, confirming her tragic fate.
Significant Incidents
- November 1872: Sank in Lake Erie; salvaged and repaired.
- 1873: Sank in Lake Michigan; salvaged and rebuilt.
- November 8, 1877: Disappeared in heavy weather off 40-mile Point, Michigan, believed to have collided with another vessel.
- 1879: Wreck discovered in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron.
Final Disposition
The KATE L. BRUCE was ultimately lost in Lake Huron in November 1877. Her exact cause of sinking remains uncertain, though it is believed to have been a collision with an unknown vessel during a storm. The wreck was discovered in 1879 in six fathoms of water in Thunder Bay, serving as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the KATE L. BRUCE is located in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, at a depth of approximately 36 feet. It does not pose a significant obstruction to modern navigation, but divers are encouraged to practice responsible diving and adhere to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories’.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kate-l-bruce-us-14277″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The KATE L. BRUCE was a vessel plagued by misfortune, enduring multiple sinkings before her final, tragic loss in Lake Huron. Her story is a poignant reminder of the dangers that schooners and their crews faced while navigating the Great Lakes, where sudden storms and unexpected collisions could turn a routine voyage into a disaster. The discovery of her wreck in 1879 brought closure to the mystery of her disappearance but also underscored the perilous nature of maritime life in the 19th 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 & SITE INFORMATION
- Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Built: 1872 by Hanson & Scove, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Capacity of 307 tons
- Construction: Wood
- Owner: L. Lindgren, Chicago
- Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
- Depth: 6 fathoms (approx. 36 feet)
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates not specified
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The KATE L. BRUCE was a three-masted wooden schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These vessels were built for cargo transportation, typically carrying bulk goods such as grain, lumber, and coal. Schooners were favored for their speed, agility, and the ability to operate with relatively small crews, making them economically viable for their owners.
HISTORY
The KATE L. BRUCE was constructed in 1872 by Hanson & Scove in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. As a new addition to the fleet of Great Lakes schooners, she represented the robust shipbuilding practices of the time, designed to withstand the rigors of lake navigation. The schooner was owned by L. Lindgren of Chicago, who employed her in the grain trade, a lucrative business during this period of American industrial expansion.
Unfortunately, the KATE L. BRUCE had a troubled history almost from the beginning. In November 1872, she sank in Lake Erie, an event that would have spelled the end for many vessels. However, she was salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, showing the determination of her owners to keep her operational.
In 1873, disaster struck again when she sank in Lake Michigan. Once more, the vessel was salvaged and rebuilt, a testament to the resilience of both the schooner and her crew. However, the series of misfortunes culminated in a tragic end on November 8, 1877. While carrying a cargo of wheat and having been towed by the tug Johnson, the KATE L. BRUCE was released to sail independently. She disappeared in heavy weather off 40-mile Point, Michigan. It is speculated that she collided with another vessel, resulting in the loss of both ships and the lives of all eight crew members, including Captain Hans Hanson.
The remains of the KATE L. BRUCE were later found in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, in 1879, two years after her disappearance. Evidence of the wreck, including the ship’s lifeboat and mainmast, washed ashore near Thunder Bay Light, confirming her tragic fate.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The KATE L. BRUCE was ultimately lost in Lake Huron in November 1877. Her exact cause of sinking remains uncertain, though it is believed to have been a collision with an unknown vessel during a storm. The wreck was discovered in 1879 in six fathoms of water in Thunder Bay, serving as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the KATE L. BRUCE was discovered in the fall of 1879 in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, two years after her disappearance.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
No specific NOTMARs (Notices to Mariners) or advisories were issued related to the wreck of the KATE L. BRUCE. Given the depth of the wreck and its location in Thunder Bay, it does not pose a significant obstruction to modern navigation. However, mariners are always advised to be cautious in areas known for historical wrecks.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Conclusion
The KATE L. BRUCE was a vessel plagued by misfortune, enduring multiple sinkings before her final, tragic loss in Lake Huron. Her story is a poignant reminder of the dangers that schooners and their crews faced while navigating the Great Lakes, where sudden storms and unexpected collisions could turn a routine voyage into a disaster. The discovery of her wreck in 1879 brought closure to the mystery of her disappearance but also underscored the perilous nature of maritime life in the 19th century.
Keywords
#KatelBruce #GreatLakesShipwreck #LakeHuron #Schooner #19thCenturyMaritime #ShipwreckHistory #ThunderBay #MaritimeTragedy #GreatLakesHistory #SailingVessels
The schooner KATE L. BRUCE had a tumultuous history marked by several unfortunate incidents. Built in 1872 by Hanson & Scove in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the three-mast wooden schooner had a capacity of 307 tons. She was owned by L. Lindgren of Chicago. The vessel encountered multiple instances of misfortune throughout her short existence. kate-l-bruce-us-14277 1872-11-08 07:48:00