Hartwelson
Freighter · United States · Lost 1943 · Penobscot Bay & Midcoast Maine
A British-built freighter, three times renamed, struck Bantam Rock off Boothbay Harbor in 1943 while running in ballast, and all 35 aboard were saved.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in 1902 at Sunderland, England, and successively renamed Astoria, Frieda Leonhardt, and finally Hartwelson, this iron freighter had just discharged coal at Stockton Springs, Maine, and was headed to Norfolk in ballast when she struck Bantam Rock south of Boothbay Harbor on May 5, 1943. She foundered, but her entire crew of 35 was rescued by the Coast Guard buoy tender Ilex. Her broken remains lie scattered in shallow water near the rock.
Vessel
- 1902
- Not established
- Sunderland, England
- Iron
- 319 ft
- 46 ft
- 3078
- Steam, single screw
- Hartwelson Steamship Company
Loss
- May 5, 1943
- Grounding
- Near Bantam Rock, about 8 miles south of Boothbay Harbor, Maine
- Gulf of Maine
- Stockton Springs, Maine → Norfolk, Virginia
- Not established
- 35
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 30 ft
- Broken up and scattered on the bottom near Bantam Rock.
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 43.73° N 69.62° W
- Approximate position
- Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Position corresponds to a wreck symbol on NOAA charts near Bantam Rock.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (75/100)
Hunting New England Shipwrecks (wreckhunter.net), citing Portland Press Herald, 6 March 1943
Build history, former names, dimensions, loss date, cause, location, and depth.
Voyage origin/destination and crew rescue by USCGC Ilex.
