Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rembha (ex-Hinda)
- Type: Composite-hulled passenger vessel
- Year Built: 1886
- Builder: Woodhall & Co., Baltimore, Maryland
- Dimensions: Length ~75 ft (22.86 m); Beam ~15 ft; Draft ~7 ft
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 47 gross tons and 22 net tons
- Location: Chicago River, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 95882
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rembha was a composite-hulled passenger vessel originally built as the yacht Hinda. It was renamed around 1902.
Description
The Rembha was constructed in 1886 by Woodhall & Co. in Baltimore, Maryland. It had a registered tonnage of approximately 47 gross tons and 22 net tons, with dimensions of about 75 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and a draft of 7 feet.
History
The vessel served as a passenger and utility vessel at the time of its loss. The U.S. registry was officially surrendered, indicating a complete write-off after the foundering incident.
Significant Incidents
- Listed in the 1919 edition of Merchant Vessels of the United States as having ‘foundered at Chicago.’ Confirmed by other sources as occurring in late 1917.
- Detailed circumstances of the foundering—such as weather, mechanical failure, or crew actions—are not documented in public summaries.
Final Disposition
The U.S. registry was officially surrendered, with the vessel recorded as lost, indicating a complete write-off. No evidence of salvage or recovery post-incident has been documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The physical wreck location of the Rembha has not been identified in diving records or maritime surveys. It remains unclear if the remains are submerged in the Chicago River or were removed prior to river dredging or development. No wreck discovery has been documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rembha-us-95882″ title=”References & Links”]
Further research is needed to uncover more details about the Rembha’s loss and its final resting place. Investigations into archival records, local newspapers, and maritime institutions may yield additional insights.
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.
(built 1886 – foundered December 15, 1917, Chicago River, Lake Michigan)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Registered Name: Rembha (originally built as the yacht Hinda, renamed around 1902)
- Official Number: 95882
- Vessel Type: Composite-hulled passenger vessel
- Build Year & Shipyard: 1886 by Woodhall & Co., Baltimore, Maryland
- Tonnage & Dimensions: Approximately 47 gross tons and 22 net tons; length ~75 ft, beam ~15 ft, draft ~7 ft. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Final Voyage Date: December 15, 1917
- Loss Location: Foundered in the Chicago River, tributary to Lake Michigan
- Cargo or Service: Passenger/utility vessel at time of loss; later registry terminated. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary of Loss
- Listed in the 1919 edition of Merchant Vessels of the United States as having “foundered at Chicago.” Confirmed by other sources as occurring in late 1917. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Detailed circumstances of the foundering—such as weather, mechanical failure, or crew actions—are not documented in public summaries.
Crew & Casualties
- Loss of life: None reported; crew and any passengers presumably survived. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- The U.S. registry was officially surrendered, with the vessel recorded as lost—indicating a complete write-off. No evidence of salvage or recovery post-incident. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Status & Site Condition
- Physical wreck location: Not identified in diving records or maritime surveys. It’s unclear if remains remain submerged in the Chicago River or were removed before river dredging or development.
- Wreck discovery: None documented.
Notices to Mariners & Official Findings
- No Notices to Mariners or marine advisory bulletins appear in public archives for this incident.
- No formal marine board investigation report is available online.
Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry on Rembha summarizing vessel identity, origin as yacht Hinda, renaming, specs, and loss date/location. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Confirmation in Merchant Vessels of the U.S. 1919 edition, indicating loss in 1917 at Chicago.
Gaps & Recommended Research Steps
To develop a more detailed vessel profile and reconstruct the circumstances of her loss, the following archival investigations are suggested:
- Merchant Vessels of the United States (1902–1920 series)
— Locate the 1918 and 1919 volumes to confirm registry details, ownership, descriptive notes, and official annotations on termination. - U.S. Coast Guard or Customs Documentation
— Request registry termination forms (Document #95882) filed around December 1917 for owner name, vessel dimensions, and circumstances. - Chicago Harbor & Port Authority Records
— Inspect logbooks, incident reports, or municipal archives for vessel failures or foundering events in the Chicago River during December 1917. - Local Newspaper Archives (December 1917 – January 1918)
— Papers such as the Chicago Tribune or Chicago Daily News might have reported on a foundering or sinking of a small passenger craft in the river, especially if public passengers or commercial operation were involved. - Maritime Museums & Historical Societies
— Institutions such as the Chicago Maritime Museum or Illinois State Archives may hold unpublished files or photographic records regarding Rembha/Hinda. - River/Dredging Operations & Archaeological Surveys
— Investigation into whether municipal or Army Corps of Engineers dredging removed vessel remains, or whether debris may still lie in sediment.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Rembha (ex-Hinda) |
| Build Year / Shipyard | 1886, Woodhall & Co., Baltimore |
| Type | Composite-hulled passenger vessel |
| Official Number | 95882 |
| Loss Date | December 15, 1917 |
| Loss Location | Chicago River, Lake Michigan basin |
| Cause at Registry | “Foundered” (no further detail) |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Wreck Status | Not located; no diving records |