Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: North Hampton
- Type: wooden brig
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: D. Dibble, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dimensions: 119 ft × 25 ft × 9 ft; approx. 242 tons
- Registered Tonnage: approx. 242 tons
- Location: Southeast point of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, near Michigan’s northern coast
- Number of Masts: two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden brig, two-masted, built for coastal commerce.
Description
The North Hampton was a wooden brig constructed in 1847, measuring 119 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth. She was built by D. Dibble in Sandusky, Ohio, and had a registered tonnage of approximately 242 tons. The vessel was primarily used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
History
The North Hampton was engaged in coastal trade, carrying cargo such as railroad iron and barrels of apples. On November 2, 1854, while navigating Lake Huron, she encountered a severe southwest gale that caused significant damage, ultimately leading to her loss.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a southwest gale, the North Hampton lost her fore yard and centerboard, impairing her maneuverability.
- Driven ashore, the vessel was pounded to pieces on the rocks, but all crew members survived by launching one of the government lifeboats onboard.
- Days after the wreck, barrels of apples were found washed up along the shoreline.
Final Disposition
The North Hampton wrecked on a reef or shore near Thunder Bay Island. The remains consist of timber fragments and cargo remnants, including apple barrels and railroad iron, likely scattered in shallow zones. The site has not been surveyed or marked, and no Notices to Mariners or hazard buoys were catalogued following the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site remains unsurveyed and unmarked, with timber fragments and cargo remnants likely scattered near the shoreline. No documented diver or sonar surveys have been conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”north-hampton-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
The North Hampton serves as a significant example of mid-19th-century maritime commerce and the challenges faced by vessels during severe weather conditions. Further investigation could enhance our understanding of early Great Lakes trade and maritime rescue efforts.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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