Vessel Identification

• Name: E. COHEN (also referred to simply as “E.”)

• Type: Schooner-Barge (formerly Brigantine)

• Builder: Henry D. Root, Black River, Ohio

• Year Built: 1867

• Gross Tonnage: 205 tons

• Home Port: Buffalo, New York

Vessel Type and Initial Configuration

The E. COHEN was initially constructed as a Brigantine in 1867. As a versatile and popular rig type, brigantines combined the maneuverability of schooners with the sail power of square-rigged ships, making them suitable for both open water and coastal trade. Over time, the E. COHEN underwent multiple transitions, including modifications and repairs, eventually being transformed into a Schooner-Barge.

Significant Incidents and Service History

Early Challenges (1867)

Shortly after its construction, the E. COHEN faced an early mishap when it grounded at Devil’s River in Alpena, Michigan while carrying a load of lumber. This incident, occurring in the same year as its launch, required the vessel to undergo repairs in May. The fact that it was restored and returned to service demonstrates the sturdy construction and value of the vessel in the timber trade.

Transformation to a Schooner-Barge (1878)

After experiencing a severe stranding incident on Lake Erie in 1877, the vessel sustained heavy damage. Initially, it was thought to be a Total Loss, and it was dismantled for use as an unrigged Barge in Buffalo in 1878. However, the vessel was salvaged and extensively patched up under the guidance of Captain Michael Carr and Cornelius McCarty. Assisted by a team using tin floats to aid in the raising process, the duo managed to bring the vessel back into service in September 1878, a feat that underscored the resilience of the vessel and the determination of its crew.

This effort transformed the E. COHEN from a damaged Brigantine into a Schooner-Barge, an adaptable vessel type increasingly popular for transporting bulk cargo like lumber and lath on the Great Lakes.

Stranding and Final Loss (1890)

On October 18, 1890, while in tow by the Steamer EIGHTH OHIO, the E. COHEN encountered adverse conditions near Port Hope Reef, Michigan, on Lake Huron. The vessel broke free from the Towline and attempted to reach port using its sails. Unfortunately, it ran aground on the reef near Point Aux Barques and was declared a Total Loss.

At the time, the E. COHEN was carrying a cargo of lumber and lath bound for Toledo, a valuable load for the construction industry. The estimated value of the vessel at the time was $6,500. Fortunately, the Point Aux Barques Lifesaving Service arrived in time to rescue the crew, ensuring no lives were lost in the incident.

Ownership Changes and Notable Repairs

Throughout its years of service, the E. COHEN changed ownership multiple times and underwent significant repairs and conversions. Its transformation from Brigantine to Barge illustrates the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels, which were frequently repurposed to meet changing demands. By 1884, the vessel was listed as an unrigged Barge, reflecting a shift in its operational use to serve as a non-sailing cargo carrier.

The efforts of owners and salvors, like Captain Carr and McCarty, who successfully raised and restored the E. COHEN, reveal the vessel’s considerable value despite its repeated incidents. Their determination ensured that the Schooner-Barge could continue serving in the timber trade for more than two decades.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The E. COHEN’s story encapsulates the turbulent life of Great Lakes Schooner-barges in the 19th century, illustrating the risks of the timber trade and the challenges of navigating the region’s waters. With a history marked by repeated strandings, salvage efforts, and adaptations, the E. COHEN showcases the resilience of both the vessel and the people who relied on it. Its final loss in 1890 marked the end of a vessel that had survived multiple incidents and undergone significant transformations.

Primary Sources and References

For further information on the E. COHEN and similar vessels, these primary sources provide valuable historical context:

• Herman Runge List: An archival source documenting Great Lakes vessels and their service histories.

• Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1884: Provides official records of U.S. merchant vessels.

• Cleveland Herald (November 6, 1877; November 7, 1877; November 19, 1877): Newspaper articles covering incidents involving the E. COHEN.

• Detroit Post & Tribune (September 12, 1878): Reports on the vessel’s salvage efforts and return to service.

Conclusion

The history of the E. COHEN reflects the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and the maritime industry’s adaptability in the face of repeated challenges. Despite multiple strandings and damages, the E. COHEN was salvaged and returned to service, underscoring the determination of its crew and owners. The vessel’s final loss in 1890 near Port Hope Reef, Michigan, closed the chapter on a Schooner-Barge that had become a symbol of perseverance on the Great Lakes.

Detailed History of the Schooner-Barge v

Vessel Identification

• Name: E. COHEN (also referred to simply as “E.”)

• Type: Schooner-Barge (formerly Brigantine)

• Builder: Henry D. Root, Black River, Ohio

• Year Built: 1867

• Gross Tonnage: 205 tons

• Home Port: Buffalo, New York

Vessel Type and Initial Configuration

The E. COHEN was initially constructed as a Brigantine in 1867. As a versatile and popular rig type, brigantines combined the maneuverability of schooners with the sail power of square-rigged ships, making them suitable for both open water and coastal trade. Over time, the E. COHEN underwent multiple transitions, including modifications and repairs, eventually being transformed into a Schooner-Barge.

Significant Incidents and Service History

Early Challenges (1867)

Shortly after its construction, the E. COHEN faced an early mishap when it grounded at Devil’s River in Alpena, Michigan while carrying a load of lumber. This incident, occurring in the same year as its launch, required the vessel to undergo repairs in May. The fact that it was restored and returned to service demonstrates the sturdy construction and value of the vessel in the timber trade.

Transformation to a Schooner-Barge (1878)

After experiencing a severe stranding incident on Lake Erie in 1877, the vessel sustained heavy damage. Initially, it was thought to be a Total Loss, and it was dismantled for use as an unrigged Barge in Buffalo in 1878. However, the vessel was salvaged and extensively patched up under the guidance of Captain Michael Carr and Cornelius McCarty. Assisted by a team using tin floats to aid in the raising process, the duo managed to bring the vessel back into service in September 1878, a feat that underscored the resilience of the vessel and the determination of its crew.

This effort transformed the E. COHEN from a damaged Brigantine into a Schooner-Barge, an adaptable vessel type increasingly popular for transporting bulk cargo like lumber and lath on the Great Lakes.

Stranding and Final Loss (1890)

On October 18, 1890, while in tow by the Steamer EIGHTH OHIO, the E. COHEN encountered adverse conditions near Port Hope Reef, Michigan, on Lake Huron. The vessel broke free from the Towline and attempted to reach port using its sails. Unfortunately, it ran aground on the reef near Point Aux Barques and was declared a Total Loss.

At the time, the E. COHEN was carrying a cargo of lumber and lath bound for Toledo, a valuable load for the construction industry. The estimated value of the vessel at the time was $6,500. Fortunately, the Point Aux Barques Lifesaving Service arrived in time to rescue the crew, ensuring no lives were lost in the incident.

Ownership Changes and Notable Repairs

Throughout its years of service, the E. COHEN changed ownership multiple times and underwent significant repairs and conversions. Its transformation from Brigantine to Barge illustrates the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels, which were frequently repurposed to meet changing demands. By 1884, the vessel was listed as an unrigged Barge, reflecting a shift in its operational use to serve as a non-sailing cargo carrier.

The efforts of owners and salvors, like Captain Carr and McCarty, who successfully raised and restored the E. COHEN, reveal the vessel’s considerable value despite its repeated incidents. Their determination ensured that the Schooner-Barge could continue serving in the timber trade for more than two decades.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The E. COHEN’s story encapsulates the turbulent life of Great Lakes Schooner-barges in the 19th century, illustrating the risks of the timber trade and the challenges of navigating the region’s waters. With a history marked by repeated strandings, salvage efforts, and adaptations, the E. COHEN showcases the resilience of both the vessel and the people who relied on it. Its final loss in 1890 marked the end of a vessel that had survived multiple incidents and undergone significant transformations.

Primary Sources and References

For further information on the E. COHEN and similar vessels, these primary sources provide valuable historical context:

• Herman Runge List: An archival source documenting Great Lakes vessels and their service histories.

• Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1884: Provides official records of U.S. merchant vessels.

• Cleveland Herald (November 6, 1877; November 7, 1877; November 19, 1877): Newspaper articles covering incidents involving the E. COHEN.

• Detroit Post & Tribune (September 12, 1878): Reports on the vessel’s salvage efforts and return to service.

Conclusion

The history of the E. COHEN reflects the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and the maritime industry’s adaptability in the face of repeated challenges. Despite multiple strandings and damages, the E. COHEN was salvaged and returned to service, underscoring the determination of its crew and owners. The vessel’s final loss in 1890 near Port Hope Reef, Michigan, closed the chapter on a Schooner-Barge that had become a symbol of perseverance on the Great Lakes.