SHIPWRECK REPORT: MARY BIRCKHEAD

Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge

Dimensions:

• Construction Year: 1867
• Configuration: Two-masted Schooner-Barge
• Location: Lime-Kiln Crossing, Detroit River, Michigan
• Incident Date: October 9, 1891

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Mary Birckhead
• Construction:
• Builder: Jackson or Oak Harbor, Ohio
• Material: Wooden Hull
• Original Owner: P. H. Birckhead and partners, Toledo, Ohio
• Later Ownership: Peter H. Fick, Saginaw, Michigan (1890)
• Primary Use: Cargo transportation (coal)

HISTORY

Service Life (1867–1891):

The Mary Birckhead was constructed in 1867 as a sturdy wooden Schooner-Barge designed for bulk cargo transport. Over its career, it changed hands several times, carrying goods across the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage:

• Cargo: Coal, bound for Port Huron, Michigan.
• Tow Vessel: Tug Annie Moiles
• Incident:
• While navigating the Detroit River, the Mary Birckhead collided with the Steamer Roman near Lime-Kiln Crossing.
• The collision caused catastrophic damage, and the Schooner-Barge sank rapidly.

Outcome:

• • The vessel was declared a Total Loss.
• • Fortunately, no crew members perished in the incident.

Aftermath:

• The wreck posed a major navigational hazard, partially obstructing the channel.

• Resolution: Authorities used dynamite to blow apart the remnants of the wreck, clearing the channel and ensuring safe passage for other vessels.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Cause of Loss: Collision with the Steamer Roman

• Fate of Vessel: Dynamited and removed from the channel

SIGNIFICANCE

The Mary Birckhead’s tragic loss underscores the dangers of navigating narrow and crowded waterways like the Detroit River, particularly during an era of less stringent navigational regulations. The incident highlights the critical need for safety protocols in busy shipping channels and serves as a cautionary tale for maritime history.

NOTES

• Navigational Hazard: The wreck’s location at Lime-Kiln Crossing highlights the challenges of managing busy shipping lanes during the 19th century.

• Historical Importance: As part of the Great Lakes’ rich maritime history, the story of the Mary Birckhead contributes to understanding the risks faced by early sailors and the evolving nature of shipping safety.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships