Other Names
- SHENANGO N0. 3
BARGE NO. 3: A Tragic Loss in a Storm on Lake Erie
Barge No. 3, a wooden railroad car ferry barge, met a devastating fate on November 12, 1900. Built in 1896 by Craig Shipbuilding Company in Toledo, Ohio, with a hull number of 70, this barge played a vital role in transporting railroad cars across Lake Michigan. It was owned by the Lake Michigan Carferry Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad, based in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
With dimensions of 306.4 feet in length, 46.6 feet in width, and 12.2 feet in depth, Barge No. 3 had a gross tonnage of 1581 and a net tonnage of 1581. It had the capacity to carry 28 railroad cars and was an essential part of the transportation network in the region.
On that fateful day, Barge No. 3 was being towed by the tug S.M. Fischer along with Barge No. 4. They were caught in a powerful storm near Long Point on Lake Erie. The storm proved too fierce, causing Barge No. 3 to go out of control. To ensure the safety of the crew, the tug S.M. Fischer cut the barge loose after the crew had been taken off.
Tragically, Barge No. 3 foundered soon after being abandoned. The storm had dealt a fatal blow, and the barge ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature. There were no reported casualties among the crew, but the cook had to be forcibly removed from the barge during the abandonment.
The barge was carrying pulpwood at the time of the incident, which was lost along with the vessel. Barge No. 3, along with its sister barge No. 4, suffered extensive damage in the gale, leading to their classification as total losses.
The sinking of Barge No. 3 serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during powerful storms. Despite the best efforts of the crew and the tug S.M. Fischer, the forces of nature proved overwhelming, resulting in the loss of the vessel and its cargo.
Today, the remains of Barge No. 3 rest near Long Point, Lake Erie, serving as a testament to the challenges faced by mariners in their endeavors to transport goods across the Great Lakes.
(Note: The information presented in this article is based on historical records and accounts of the incident.)
