Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: Eber Ward
• Type: Package Freight Propeller (Bulk Freighter)
• Date of Incident: April 20, 1909
• Location: Straits of Mackinac, 5 miles west of Mackinac Bridge, Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: Bow: N45 48.728 W084 49.133 Stern: N45 48.763 W084 49.133
• Depth: 110–145 feet (33–43 meters)
• Condition: Resting upright with Hull intact; cabins missing
• Access: Bow and Stern buoys available from late May to mid-September
• Skill Level for Diving: Advanced

Vessel Type Description

The Eber Ward was a wooden-hulled package freighter designed for bulk and package freight transport. Built in 1888, the vessel featured a two-Deck layout with an advanced powered unloading system for grain cargo. It exemplified late 19th-century shipbuilding with its robust wooden Hull supported by diagonal steel straps and modern safety features like watertight bulkheads.

History

The Eber Ward was constructed by F.W. Wheeler & Co. in West Bay City, Michigan, and launched in July 1888. Named after Eber Brock Ward, a prominent shipowner and industrialist, the vessel served as a freight carrier for various companies, including the Detroit & Lake Superior Line, Union Transit Company, and Hecla Transportation Company.

In its later years, the vessel was purchased by John Boland of Buffalo, New York, for Conversion into a lumber carrier but continued to transport freight until its final voyage.

Key Specifications

• Builder: F.W. Wheeler & Co.
• Year Built: 1888
• Gross Tonnage: 1,344 tons
• Length: 213 feet (65 meters)
• Beam: 37 feet (11.3 meters)
• Draft: 22 feet (6.7 meters)
• Engine: Fore-and-aft compound steam engine
• horsepower: 600 HP at 84 RPM
• Cargo Capacity: 55,000 bushels of corn

The Sinking

On April 19, 1909, the Eber Ward departed Chicago en route to Milwaukee to load a cargo of 55,000 bushels of corn destined for Port Huron. While navigating the icy Straits of Mackinac on April 20, the vessel encountered deceptively navigable slush and windrow ice.

Captain Timese Lemay, underestimating the severity of the ice, pressed forward. The ship struck an ice flow, tearing its bow open. Within 10 minutes, the Eber Ward sank, leaving the crew with little time to react.

Casualties

Of the 16 people aboard, five perished:

• James Perry – Watchman
• John Leubrath – Fireman
• John Hern
• Kinney McKay – Deckhand
• Unnamed Person

Survivors

• Captain Timese LeMay – Detroit
• A. P. Callino – First Mate
• Frank Baldwin – Chief Engineer, Detroit
• S. R. Shipman – Second Engineer
• Charles Lester – Wheelsman
• Frank Gutch – Wheelsman
• John Winterhaler – Steward
• Mrs. Winterhaler – Detroit (John’s Wife)
• August Palmer – Deckhand

The survivors were rescued by the Steamer Bennington, responding to distress signals, and brought to Mackinaw City for medical attention. A subsequent investigation found Captain Lemay guilty of misconduct, negligence, and inattention, resulting in the revocation of his master’s license.

The Wreck Today

Rediscovered in 1980, the wreck of the Eber Ward is part of the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve. The vessel rests upright on the lakebed, offering a well-preserved dive site featuring historical artifacts.

Dive Details

• Depth: 110–145 feet (33–43 meters)
• Conditions: Intact Hull, exposed cargo holds, and visible engine room.
• Highlights:
• Steam engine and scotch boiler
• Four-bladed propeller
• Mushroom anchor above ice-damaged timbers

Access

Bow and Stern buoys are available from late May to mid-September. The site is accessible for advanced divers with proper equipment and planning.

Resources & Links

• Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve
• Michigan Preserves
• Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wikipedia – SS Eber Ward
• Detroit Free Press, April 21, 1909
• Annual Report of the Supervising Inspector-General Steamboat-Inspection Service, 1910
• 3DShipwrecks – Eber Ward

Conclusion

The Eber Ward serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by Great Lakes mariners in the early 20th century. Its sinking highlights the peril of navigating ice-laden waters and the human cost of maritime disasters. Today, the wreck captivates divers and historians alike, offering a glimpse into the past and preserving the legacy of a vessel that once played a vital role in Great Lakes commerce.=

3D Model – Eber Ward

Eber Ward by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Keywords

#EberWard #StraitsOfMackinac #LakeHuron #GreatLakesShipwreck #MaritimeHistory #IceDamage #ShipwreckDiving #MichiganShipwreckPreserve