P.H. Birckhead: A Great Lakes Workhorse and Tragic Loss

Vessel Overview

• Name: P.H. Birckhead

• Type: Propeller Freighter

• Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan

• Year Built: 1870

• Dimensions:

• Length: 157 feet

• Beam: 28 feet

• Depth: 13 feet

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 495 tons

• Net: 222 tons

• Unique Features:

• Hull Design: Twin tandem arch construction with double arches built into both sides of the Hull.

• Engines: Twin compound engines operating a single shaft, a notable engineering feature of the time.

Operational History

The P.H. Birckhead served as a dependable bulk freight carrier on the Great Lakes, transporting a variety of goods, including coal, across the region. Built to endure the challenging conditions of Great Lakes navigation, the vessel underwent several rebuilds during its operational life, including a significant overhaul in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1874.

The Final Voyage

• Date of Incident: September 30, 1905

• Location: Alpena, Michigan (off the docks in Thunder Bay)

• Cause: A devastating fire that broke out after repairs were completed for a blown cylinder head.

• Cargo: Coal (bound for Racine, Wisconsin, from Ashtabula, Ohio).

• Outcome:

• The fire consumed the vessel, burning it to the waterline.

• The ship sank in Alpena Bay, along with its cargo.

• No lives were lost, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss.

Legacy and Wreckage

• Ownership: At the time of its demise, the vessel was owned by James O’Connor of Tonawanda and under the command of Captain James Heffron.

• Final Enrollment: Surrendered on March 31, 1906, in Buffalo, New York.

• Post-Tragedy Sale: The charred wreck was sold to the Murray Company of Bay City for $1,100.

The wreckage remains a somber reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels and crews navigating the Great Lakes. It also reflects the innovation of its time, with its advanced Hull design and twin-engine setup.

Significance

The P.H. Birckhead’s story illustrates both the ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilding and the inherent risks of the region’s maritime trade. Its fiery end underscores the unpredictability of life on the lakes and serves as a tribute to the resilience of the sailors who braved those waters.

Today, the memory of the P.H. Birckhead is preserved in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history, honoring the vessel’s contributions to commerce and the lives of the men who sailed her decks.