Identification & Vessel Construction
- Built: 1892 (likely by a U.S. Great Lakes shipyard; exact builder TBD)
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller Steamer
- Cargo: Primarily lumber
- Crew Complement: 11 aboard at time of incident
Final Voyage & Loss Details
- Date: November 12, 1903
- Route & Departure: Downbound Lake Huron with lumber load
- Incident Overview: Caught in a violent gale, the vessel sprang a leak. The flooding extinguished her fires, leaving her without propulsion. Helpless and unsteered, she drifted until grounding. Waves pounded the Hull repeatedly, wrecking her irreparably (YouTube, uslhs.org).
Crew & Casualty Details
- Fatalities: None—“none of 11” crew members survived without serious injury (YouTube)
- Rescue: Crew were safely evacuated; likely assisted by other vessels or rescued following stranding
Incident Location & Environment
- Approximate location: Lake Huron, downbound toward Saginaw Bay
- Likely grounding site: Sandy shoreline or reef near Sand Beach Township or similar coastal area
- Environmental conditions: Gale winds, high seas—typical late-autumn storm system
Archival & Source Records
- Listed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files; details highlighted in maritime disaster summaries (YouTube, Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- YouTube reference documenting “Huron type of loss: storm… She sprang a leak in gale… her fires were flooded out…” (YouTube)
Preservation & Discovery Status
- Wreck condition: Most likely broken upon grounding and surf-driven damage; wooden structure unlikely to have survived intact
- Current remains: Probably buried or dispersed in shallow nearshore sediments; no documented surveys or diving reports
Future Research Opportunities
| Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Builder & Specs | Search vessel registries (e.g., American Bureau of Shipping or U.S. Customs) for “Seattle,” built 1892 |
| Newspaper Archives | Review Huron Basin and Michigan newspapers (Nov 1903) for stranding location and rescue details |
| Meteorological Data | Analyze storm charts from November 1903 to pinpoint gale track and grounding area |
| Shoreline Survey | Conduct beach & nearshore assessments in probable areas for visible Deck or framing remains |
| Life-Saving Records | Consult U.S. Life-Saving Service reports for crew rescue and documentation |
Summary
The Seattle, a North American wooden Steamer built in 1892, was lost on November 12, 1903, after throwing a leak during a severe gale on Lake Huron. Flooded boilers left her helpless, and she grounded. Thankfully, all 11 on board survived. The stranded vessel likely broke apart along the shore. With limited documentation, no dive or archaeological surveys have confirmed remains. However, archival research and coastal survey could shed light on her final resting place.