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.
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: North Hampton (also spelled Northampton)
- Built: 1847 by D. Dibble, Sandusky, Ohio — wooden brig, two-masted
- Dimensions: 119 ft × 25 ft × 9 ft; approx. 242 tons
- Loss Date: November 2, 1854
- Location: Southeast point of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, near Michigan’s northern coast
- Cargo: Railroad iron and 800 barrels of apples
- Casualties: None — crew survived by launching one of four government lifeboats onboard (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
Caught in a SW gale, North Hampton sustained damage early in the storm, losing her fore yard and centerboard. This disabled her maneuverability, causing her to miss stays while trying to reach shelter. She was driven ashore and pounded to pieces on the rocks. Her crew escaped in a government lifeboat, and days later, apple barrels washed up along the shoreline (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Site & Physical Condition
- Final Site: Wrecked on reef/shore near Thunder Bay Island.
- Condition: Timber fragments, cargo remnants (apple barrels, rail iron) likely scattered near shoreline in shallow zones.
- Modern Survey Status: No documented diver or sonar surveys; site remains unsurveyed and unmarked.
Navigation & Warnings
No Notices to Mariners or hazard buoys were catalogued following the wreck—they may not have been issued during the 1850s.
Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files — entry “NORTH HAMPTON”: details on build, loss date, cargo, outcome, crew rescue (manitouislandsarchives.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
| Research Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Crew Composition | Examine 1854 newspapers (Detroit Free Press, Sault Ste. Marie Evening News) for crew list, lifeboat launch, and rescue details. |
| Shipbuilders’ Plans | Consult Sandusky shipyard records or Ohio maritime registries for original plans and cargo loading manifests. |
| Wreck Investigation | Organize coastal side-scan sonar survey off Thunder Bay Island to identify hull remains or cargo caches. |
| Material Artefacts | Collect and document any remaining iron or apple barrel detritus from shoreline dives. |
| Weather Context | Analyze meteorological and shipping logs of the SW gale hitting Lake Huron around November 2, 1854. |
Historical & Archaeological Significance
The North Hampton represents mid-19th-century brig coastal commerce—efficient cross-lake goods transport amid growing railroad competition. The combination of shed rigging and flat bottom rendered her vulnerable to autumn gales. Her survival of crew, intact lifeboat use, and cargo wash-up offers a compelling case study for early maritime rescue, cargo wreckage fate, and vessel fragility. Locating her remains could significantly contribute to our knowledge of mid-century wooden brig wreck sites and early Great Lakes trade survival strategies.
north-hampton-1847 1854-11-02 13:47:00