The wooden schooner Hattie Wells is shown on September 13, 1912, under tow, into
Chicago, with a cargo of lumber. It remained on the Great Lakes less than two more
months, as it sank on November 6, 1912, when it was swamped by heavy seas in a storm
on Lake Michigan, off St. Joseph, Michigan. According to Wisconsin Marine Historical
Society records, the ship was named after Hattie Wells (nee Hyde) who was born March
13, 1831, in Albion, Michigan. “Following public school education, she began teaching in
1850 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. She moved to Port Huron, Michigan, in 1856 and
married Frederick L. Wells on September 20, 1859. The couple had no offspring and Mrs.
Wells continued teaching while her husband operated a general mercantile store.
“In 1862, Mr. Wells became active in vessel ownership. He financed this schooner in 1867.
His business interests expanded in 1878 when he organized the narrow-gauge Port Huron
& Northwestern Railroad. The line ran between Port Huron and Saginaw Bay. It was
liquidated in 1893. Ms. Wells retired from teaching in 1874 and devoted her life to civic
affairs until her death at Port Huron on January 16, 1895.” Photo Credit: Great Lakes
Marine Collection — Milwaukee Public library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
More photos:
Northwest Orient Airlines, Flight 2501
Ann Arbor No. 5, car ferry
Hennepin steamer, launched 1885
Hennepin, unloading stone