Identification & Site Information

•Name: M.P. Barkalow

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Official Number: 90277

•Year Built: 1871

•Builder: Otis Harper, Perry, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 104.2 feet

•Beam: 22.7 feet

•Depth: 8.2 feet

•Gross Tonnage: 121 tons

•Net Tonnage: 115 tons

•Home Port: Detroit, Michigan

History

The M.P. Barkalow was a Schooner that served for over three decades on the Great Lakes, enduring a series of unfortunate incidents before meeting its final fate. Constructed in 1871 in Perry, Ohio, the vessel primarily transported grain, salt, and other bulk cargoes.

Significant Incidents

1.July 3, 1887 – Collision in Cleveland

•The M.P. Barkalow was struck by the steambarge Nipigon at the entrance to Cleveland’s old river bed. Under tow by the Tug W.D. Cushing, a misunderstanding of signals led to the collision, with the Nipigon tearing into the Schooner’s starboard bow. Despite significant damage to the rail, Stanchions, and planksheer, the vessel avoided sinking. Repairs were costly but ensured the vessel’s return to service.

2.September 18, 1871 – Stranding near Point Abino

•The Schooner stranded alongside two other vessels due to thick, smoky conditions on Lake Erie. Assistance from a Tug and Lighter successfully brought the vessel to safety.

3.Fall of 1894 – Toledo Mishap

•A railroad drawbridge lowered onto the Barkalow in Toledo, causing it to sink. The Schooner was later raised and repaired.

4.April 26, 1902 – Foundering off Put-In-Bay

•The Schooner was caught in a southwest gale while at anchor 1.5 miles west of Put-In-Bay, Ohio, en route from Marine City, Michigan, to Sandusky, Ohio, with a cargo of salt. The storm overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to founder. Tragically, three of the four crew members were lost, marking the vessel’s final and most tragic incident.

Final Disposition

The M.P. Barkalow was declared a Total Loss following its sinking during the storm on April 26, 1902. The sole surviving crew member provided testimony about the storm’s severity and the vessel’s inability to weather the conditions. The exact location of the wreck remains undocumented but is presumed to lie near Put-In-Bay in Lake Erie.

Current Status

•Condition: Presumed destroyed or heavily deteriorated. No formal surveys or salvage attempts have been documented following the 1902 sinking.

•Accessibility: The site is not marked or known to be a notable dive location.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Lake Erie Shipwreck Map

•Bowling Green State University Maritime Collection

Conclusion

The M.P. Barkalow represents the resilience and peril of 19th-century maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Despite enduring collisions, strandings, and eventual foundering, it played a vital role in regional commerce. The vessel’s loss underscores the unpredictable and dangerous conditions faced by mariners navigating the inland seas. Its legacy endures as a testament to the challenges of Great Lakes shipping.

Keywords

#MPBarkalow #LakeErieShipwrecks #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #SchoonerWrecks #ClevelandMaritimeIncidents #PutInBayShipwrecks #SailingEra #19thCenturyShipwreck