Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Hattie B. Pereue
  • Year Built: 1881
  • Type: Schooner (wooden)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Owner: Not specifically recorded
  • Final Resting Place: Off Holland, Michigan, Lake Michigan
  • Date of Loss: 15 October 1902
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown (possibly light, as no cargo reported lost)
  • Crew Casualties: None reported

Vessel Type Description

The Hattie B. Pereue was a traditional three-masted wooden Schooner, built for general Great Lakes cargo work. These vessels typically carried grain, lumber, or coal, depending on market needs, with an economical sail rig and moderate Draft suited to Great Lakes harbours.

Histor

Launched in 1881, the Hattie B. Pereue worked the grain and lumber trade, frequently calling at Chicago and other Lake Michigan ports. Schooners of this class were known for their sturdy build but were increasingly vulnerable to storms and to competition from newer steam freighters by the early 1900s.

On 15 October 1902, while bound for Chicago, the Schooner encountered a severe autumn gale on Lake Michigan. Unable to make headway against the storm, she attempted to run for shelter at Holland, Michigan. Before reaching port, she began to founder, likely due to flooding or Hull strain from heavy seas.

Final Disposition

The Schooner ultimately Foundered and was lost offshore near Holland, Michigan. Reports indicate the crew Abandoned ship safely, and there were no fatalities recorded. No salvage records have been found, and the vessel was considered a Total Loss.

Located By & Date

There is no confirmed diver discovery or survey record of the wreck’s exact position; its remains have not been formally located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) referencing this site, and no known navigational hazard warnings apply today.

Current Condition & Accessibilit

Given the Schooner’s foundering and over a century underwater, any remains are likely deeply buried in sand or broken apart by wave action offshore of Holland. No known dive site is actively documented.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Hattie B. Pereue represents one of many late-era schooners overwhelmed by Lake Michigan’s powerful storms. Though her crew survived, her loss marks the decline of sail-powered freight carriers in the face of unpredictable weather and advancing steam technology.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

If you want, I can help you check Holland newspaper archives from October 1902 for any survivor interviews or insurance claims — just say yes!