Identification & Site Information

• Name: BERTIE CALKINS

• Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner

• Built: 1874, Two Rivers, Wisconsin

• Builder: Hanson & Scove

• Dimensions:

• Length: 134 feet (40.8 meters)

• Beam: 28 feet (8.5 meters)

• Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 256 tons

• Net: 243 tons

• Final Location: Near Belleville, Quinte Bay, Lake Ontario

• Coordinates: N44° 15.826’, W77° 38.311’

• Date of Wreck: October 3, 1919 (Foundered, later recovered)

Vessel Type Description

The BERTIE CALKINS was a three-masted wooden Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during its time. Designed for bulk cargo transport, schooners like the BERTIE CALKINS were integral to moving coal, timber, and other goods efficiently across the lakes. Its robust construction allowed it to endure decades of service despite frequent challenges.

History

The BERTIE CALKINS, constructed in 1874, began its career under the ownership of Peter Hanson and associates in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Over the years, it became a familiar sight across the Great Lakes, carrying vital goods and showcasing the resilience of Great Lakes schooners.

Notable Events:

• 1888: Broke free from its tow and collided with the Randolph Street Bridge in Chicago but was successfully repaired.

• 1909: Sold to J.S. McQueen of Belleville, Ontario, and continued its service in Canadian waters.

• October 3, 1919: Foundered during a violent storm near Belleville in Quinte Bay. The vessel was declared a Total Loss but was later raised and returned to service.

• Post-1919: Converted into a Barge in its later years before being Abandoned around 1930.

One notable rescue occurred when the Steamer M. SICKEN saved the BERTIE CALKINS and its crew off the north shore. The exhausted sailors were brought to safety, and the Schooner was towed ashore, where it discharged its cargo and underwent repairs.

Final Disposition

The BERTIE CALKINS was Abandoned around 1930 after an impressive career that spanned over five decades. Its last recorded registration was in 1931, marking the official end of its service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The remains of the BERTIE CALKINS are located near Belleville in Quinte Bay, Lake Ontario, at a depth of approximately 30 feet (9 meters). The wreck has not been thoroughly explored or documented, offering potential opportunities for underwater research and diving exploration.

Resources & Links

• Mapping Great Lakes Shipwrecks: Jack Grove’s publications

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck database

• Wisconsin Shipwreck Search: Database

• Library and Archives Canada: Port of Kingston Registry

• Oswego Palladium, 8 July 1912

• Mercantile Navy List 1928: Historical vessel listings

Keywords

BERTIE CALKINS, Schooner, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Quinte Bay, Belleville Ontario, 1919 Storm, Hanson & Scove, Three-Masted Wooden Schooner, Great Lakes Maritime History.

Conclusion

The BERTIE CALKINS embodies the rugged spirit of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Its long service life, punctuated by significant challenges and recoveries, highlights the resilience of schooners and their crews. Now resting in Quinte Bay, the site of the BERTIE CALKINS serves as a piece of living maritime history, offering insights into the era’s trade, technology, and survival against the Great Lakes’ volatile conditions.