Identification & Site Information

Final Voyage & Loss

  • Date of Incident: August 6, 1899
  • Location: Harbor Beach, Lake Huron, Michigan
  • Cargo: Lumber
  • Circumstances: Attempted to enter the harbor during a storm but missed the entrance and Foundered, grounding on the harbor bottom.
  • Outcome: Declared a Total Loss, with both the vessel and cargo unrecoverable.
  • Casualties: None reported — all hands survived the incident. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition

  • After grounding, H. A. Emery was scuttled to prevent further damage from pounding on the bottom.
  • Salvage efforts commenced the next day but were unsuccessful. She was stripped of usable components and Abandoned by August 18, 1899 — officially a Total Loss. (Wikipedia)

Wreck Condition & Archaeology

  • Likely Site: Entrance to Harbor Beach harbor — probably in shallow water or on harbor bottom.
  • Wreck Condition: Remains are likely heavily degraded logs and structural elements, with most salvageable material removed during immediate strip operations.
  • Documentation Status: No modern archaeological surveys or diving explorations are known to exist for this wreck.

Significance

  • Highlights the hazards of late 19th-century lumber schooners entering narrow harbor entrances during storms—a common risk on Lake Huron.
  • The deliberate scuttling to prevent break-up illustrates maritime practices to manage stranded vessels.
  • Provides a tangible case study of shipwreck formation and abandonment protocols at the turn of the century.

Key References

Recommended Next Steps

  • Archival Research
    • Examine local newspapers from early–mid August 1899: Harbor Beach Sentinel, Twining Tone, for incident and salvage reports.
  • Official Documentation
    • Locate U.S. Lifesaving Service and harbor master logs regarding grounding, scuttling, and salvage attempts.
    • Access registry cancellation documents to confirm stripping and abandonment timeline.
  • Wreck Survey Planning
    • Conduct a shore-to-harbor survey, using side-scan sonar and magnetometer to detect wreckage on the harbor bottom.
    • Plan diver reconnaissance once anomalies are identified.