The Ill-Fated Journey of the E. S. J. Bemis: A Schooner’s Tale of Misfortune
In the annals of maritime history, certain vessels stand out for their unfortunate encounters with treacherous waters. One such vessel was the E. S. J. Bemis, a two-masted wooden schooner that met a series of calamities during its existence in the mid-19th century. From collisions to sinking in the depths of Lake Erie, the Bemis seemed plagued by misfortune. Join us as we delve into the history of this ill-fated schooner and unravel the events that led to its demise.
The E. S. J. Bemis, also known as E. St. John Bemis, was constructed in 1855 by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio. With dimensions of 119 feet in length, 25 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, the schooner had a carrying capacity of 294 tons. Owned by John Stewart of Detroit or Buffalo, the Bemis experienced its first significant mishap on January 22, 1862. While carrying a cargo of railroad iron, it collided with the propeller Dunkirk in the Detroit River, resulting in the sinking of the schooner.
Fast forward to September 20, 1870, when the Bemis set sail from Detroit, bound for Buffalo, loaded with 14,000 bushels of wheat. Caught in a fierce storm approximately 15 miles off Port Rowan, Ontario, the schooner foundered in the tumultuous waters of Lake Erie. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape to safety by taking to the yawl and reaching the shore unharmed. In October of the same year, the tug Sarah E. Bryant attempted to salvage the sunken vessel but faced challenges in their efforts.
Prior to this fateful sinking, the Bemis had already experienced a series of setbacks and salvage attempts. In April 1861, the schooner collided with the Dunkirk in the Detroit River, resulting in temporary submersion and subsequent salvage efforts. Chains, screws, and steam pumps were employed to raise the vessel from its watery resting place. The arduous process of lifting and pumping out water proved to be a slow and costly endeavor. Eventually, the Bemis was successfully raised and towed to Clark’s drydock for repairs.
Despite surviving previous misfortunes and undergoing repairs, the ill-starred Bemis was unable to evade its tragic destiny. Laden with 14,000 bushels of wheat, the schooner embarked on its final journey from Detroit to Buffalo. However, tragedy struck once again as it sprung a leak and sank in Lake Erie, off Port Rowan, on September 20, 1870. The vessel and its cargo were declared a total loss. Miraculously, all crew members escaped unharmed.
The story of the E. S. J. Bemis serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of the sea. From collisions to sinking, this wooden schooner faced numerous tribulations throughout its existence. Although the Bemis found temporary redemption through salvage efforts and repairs, its final voyage proved to be its undoing. Today, the legacy of the E. S. J. Bemis lives on as a cautionary tale of maritime misfortune and the inherent dangers faced by those who traverse the unforgiving waters.
