Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Scow-Schooner

Description

The H.S. HYDE was a wooden scow-schooner, a flat-bottomed, two-masted vessel, constructed in 1853 by Charles Sappan in Detroit, Michigan. Scow-schooners were widely used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century for transporting bulk goods, especially in shallow waters and smaller ports where deeper-Draft vessels could not operate. Their flat-bottom design allowed for easier loading and unloading of cargo like lumber, stone, and other heavy materials.

History

The H.S. HYDE was owned by Mannell Brothers of Port Huron, Michigan, a city that played a key role in Great Lakes commerce, particularly in the lumber trade. Over the course of 30 years in service, the vessel operated primarily on Lake Huron, transporting cargo between ports in Michigan, Ontario, and other Great Lakes regions.

On May 21, 1883, while navigating off Pointe Aux Barques, the H.S. HYDE encountered a gale. The severe weather overwhelmed the vessel, causing her to sink off the point. Fortunately, the entire crew was rescued by the United States Life-Saving Service (USLS) stationed nearby. The USLS, the precursor to the modern U.S. Coast Guard, played a vital role in safeguarding mariners on the Great Lakes during this period.

Following the sinking, the vessel’s documentation was officially surrendered on December 15, 1883, and the 1884 Merchant Vessels Registry listed the H.S. HYDE as “lost or otherwise out of service.”

Final Disposition

Sank off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron, on May 21, 1883, during a gale. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost due to a successful rescue by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the H.S. HYDE wreck site off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The H.S. HYDE‘s loss in 1883 is emblematic of the numerous small, hardworking vessels that supported the economic growth of the Great Lakes during the 19th century. While the vessel succumbed to a storm off Pointe Aux Barques, the successful rescue of her crew by the U.S. Life-Saving Service stands as a testament to the bravery and dedication of those early maritime rescuers. The H.S. HYDE served for 30 years under the ownership of Mannell Brothers of Port Huron, contributing to the transportation of goods critical to the region’s development. Although the ship itself was lost, her story reflects the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the communities that depended on them.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: H.S. HYDE scow-Schooner, Pointe Aux Barques shipwreck, Lake Huron Schooner loss, Port Huron maritime history, Mannell Brothers, U.S. Life-Saving Service rescues
  • Categories: Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Wooden Scow-Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Rescues, Port Huron Shipwrecks
  • Glossary Terms:
  • Scow-Schooner: A flat-bottomed sailing vessel with two or more masts, used primarily for transporting heavy or bulk cargo in shallow waters.
  • Pointe Aux Barques: A prominent point on Lake Huron in Michigan, known for its lighthouse and numerous shipwrecks due to sudden storms and treacherous waters.
  • United States Life-Saving Service (USLS): A federal agency established in the 19th century to perform maritime rescues; it later merged with the U.S. Coast Guard.