Other Names #
- H.A. CHAMBERLIN
The Loss of the Schooner-Barge HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN #
In the realm of maritime history, tales of shipwrecks and losses abound. The schooner-barge HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN, also known as H.A. CHAMBERLIN, met its tragic end in Lake Erie on November 30, 1875. Built in 1874 by Hitchcock in Salzburg, Michigan, this wooden vessel was owned by Ferris Bros. of Bay City. In this article, we delve into the details surrounding the loss of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN and its historical context.
The HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN was a schooner-barge constructed in 1874 at the North Pole shipyard in Salzburg (Bay City), Michigan. Built by Hitchcock, the vessel measured approximately 150 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and had a depth of 10 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 371 tons, making it a substantial vessel capable of carrying a significant amount of cargo.
On November 30, 1875, the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN met its tragic fate near Cleveland, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The vessel was left at anchor off Cleveland while the towboat ELMIRA went in to coal. However, a quick-rising gale broke the anchor chains of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN, driving it ashore. The force of the storm caused the vessel to break in two, ultimately leading to its destruction. Despite the valiant efforts of those involved, the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN succumbed to the powerful forces of nature.
Fortunately, there were no reported casualties resulting from the loss of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying no cargo, which may have contributed to its vulnerability in the storm. While the loss of the ship and its cargo was undoubtedly a significant financial setback for its owner, the absence of casualties was a silver lining amidst the tragedy.
In the aftermath of the loss, the owners of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN took legal action against the consort propeller ELMIRA. The lawsuit alleged a lack of proper protection by the ELMIRA, which may have contributed to the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN’s unfortunate fate. The owners were successful in their lawsuit, winning the case against the ELMIRA on March 29, 1877.
The remains of the HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN were eventually broken up beyond repair in April 1876, rendering the vessel unfit for further use. Subsequently, on November 10, 1877, the ship’s documents were surrendered at Port Huron, Michigan, marking the formal end of its existence as a registered vessel.
The loss of the schooner-barge HARMON A. CHAMBERLIN serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and formidable nature of storms at sea. From its construction in 1874 to its tragic demise in 1875, the vessel played a role in the transportation of goods in the Great Lakes region. However, the destructive forces of the storm near Cleveland, Ohio, led to its untimely end. Although the vessel may have been broken up beyond repair, its story lives on as a testament to the risks and challenges faced by seafarers throughout history.
