Built by Hodgkins & Brown in Wiscasett in 1875, the "Fannie Tucker" was one of many merchant ships owned by the Tucker family. She was named after the eldest daughter of the primary owner, Capt. Joseph Tucker. During her 16 years at sea, the "Fannie" was an unlucky ship, spending many years held up in foreign ports for repairs and various cargo reasons.

Capt. Tucker sold the ship in 1889 to a ship owners out of New Brunswick. The bad luck continued under the new ownership and after just two years, a fire of unknown origin destroyed the ship at Bahia, Brazil. According to William Fairburns "Merchant Sail," the crew was blamed for the ship's demise, but not enough evidence was present to make an official charge against them.