A Lost Barge on Long Point, Lake Erie
The history of Lake Erie is laden with stories of shipwrecks and maritime tragedies, and among them, the fate of the Belle Cash stands as a testament to the unforgiving nature of the lake. The Belle Cash, a wooden barge, met its demise on September 27, 1875, when it became stranded on Long Point during a violent storm. Despite valiant salvage efforts, the barge’s rescue proved unsuccessful, and it remains submerged, entwined in the sands of Lake Erie’s Long Point.
Built in 1873 by C. Cash in Algonac, the Belle Cash was a sturdy wooden barge measuring 154 feet in length, 29 feet in width, and boasting a depth of 11 feet. With a gross weight of 375 tons, the barge was a substantial vessel, capable of transporting various types of cargo across the expansive waters of Lake Erie
On that fateful day in September 1875, the Belle Cash was being towed by the steamer H.C. Schnoor, along with its sister vessel, the John W. Hannaford. Amidst the turmoil of a raging storm, the towing operation went awry, and both the Belle Cash and the Hannaford were driven onto Long Point, a treacherous stretch of land extending into Lake Erie. Stranded and at the mercy of the elements, the crew of the Belle Cash faced a harrowing ordeal.
Salvage Efforts
In the wake of the incident, extensive salvage efforts were undertaken to free the stranded vessels. Captain Charles Cash, the owner of the Belle Cash, spearheaded the rescue mission. Several tugboats, including the Sarah E. Bryant, the New Era, and the Magnet, were engaged to aid in the operation. Despite the valiant efforts and the deployment of strong hawsers, the Belle Cash remained firmly entrenched in the sandy shores of Long Point.
Months turned into years, and various attempts were made to release the Belle Cash from its watery grave. In August of 1876, the Coast Wrecking Company joined the cause, striving to raise the barge from its submerged position. However, their endeavors were in vain, and the Belle Cash remained steadfastly lodged on Long Point, a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors on Lake Erie.
As time wore on, hope dwindled. The Belle Cash, imbedded in sand and water, defied all attempts at liberation. Finally, in September 1877, the vessel’s documentation was surrendered at Port Huron, marking the end of an arduous chapter in Lake Erie’s maritime history. The Belle Cash became yet another haunting shipwreck, left to the elements and the annals of time.
The Belle Cash serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Erie. While the barge rests on the submerged Long Point, it stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of the sailors who ventured across the lake, battling unpredictable storms and the ever-present risk of shipwreck. Today, the Belle Cash remains a symbol of the rich maritime heritage and the indomitable spirit that characterizes the Great Lakes region.
The tragic story of the Belle Cash’s ill-fated journey on Lake Erie echoes through time. Its loss on Long Point serves as a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the lake and the perils faced by seafarers in centuries past. The Belle Cash, forever entangled in the sands of Lake Erie, remains an enduring testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to conquer the mighty waters of the Great Lakes.
