Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas Bradley
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Registry out of Milwaukee
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
- Location: North Pier at St. Joseph (or South Haven), Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century steam propeller vessel specialized for bulk freight hauling—primarily heavy industrial machinery—with modest size suitable for mid-coast inland freights.
Description
Built in 1856 and registered in Milwaukee, the Thomas Bradley was tasked with hauling heavy grist mill components—multiple boilers and engines—for installation in South Haven. Powered by a propeller, she had adequate cargo room but limited freeboard, making her vulnerable in storms.
History
On the evening of 4 November 1856, while carrying grist mill machinery destined for South Haven, the Thomas Bradley encountered a violent storm as she passed the piers at either St. Joseph or South Haven. She struck the North Pier, capsized, and the crew climbed onto her exposed keel. A nearby Life-Saving Station rescued them—all survived. Following the incident, the ship broke up in the surf and was declared a total loss, with a vivid reported financial loss of $900—considerable for the time.
Significant Incidents
- 4 November 1856: The Thomas Bradley capsized during a storm while carrying grist mill machinery.
- All crew members were rescued by a nearby Life-Saving Station.
- The vessel was declared a total loss after breaking up in the surf.
Final Disposition
The vessel was broken apart by wave action across the pier entrance. Looting or hull salvage was not documented, consistent with typical mid-latitude wreck practices.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern surveys, dives, or archaeological validations exist. The wreck remains uncharted, though debris may have been scattered along the shore at the time.
Resources & Links
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The Thomas Bradley‘s demise in late 1856 underscores the risks of transporting heavy industrial equipment in early propeller vessels. Capsizing at a harbor entrance during a storm was a fate many such vessels met. The complete lack of crew loss highlights the effectiveness of 19th-century lifesaving services. Her wreck remains a silent footnote in pre-boom industrial maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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