Burr Higgins and Company

Burr Higgins and Company was a 19th-century firm based in Sandusky, Ohio, known for owning and operating vessels on the Great Lakes. One notable ship in their fleet was the Chesapeake, a wooden sidewheel steamer built in 1838 by David R. Stebbins in Maumee, Ohio. The Chesapeake measured 172 feet in length, 24 feet 6 inches in width, and 10 feet 2 inches in depth, with a gross tonnage of 412.5 tons. It was powered by a vertical beam low-pressure steam engine, generating 120 nominal horsepower, and featured 28-foot paddlewheels. 

On June 9, 1847, while fully loaded with dry goods and groceries, the Chesapeake collided with the schooner J.F. Porter near Conneaut, Ohio, on Lake Erie. The collision occurred at night, resulting in significant damage to both vessels. The crew of the J.F. Porter managed to board the Chesapeake before their schooner sank. Despite efforts to reach Conneaut Harbor, the Chesapeake foundered approximately two miles from shore, settling in 40 feet of water. Passengers and crew made desperate attempts to escape using boats and makeshift rafts. Calm lake conditions aided rescue efforts, with many survivors being picked up by the steamer Harrison. However, at least nine lives were lost in the tragedy. 

The loss of the Chesapeake underscores the challenges and dangers of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. While specific details about Burr Higgins and Company’s broader operations are limited, their ownership of the Chesapeake highlights their involvement in the region’s maritime commerce during that era.