BARGE NO. 4: A Twin Loss in a Storm on Lake Erie
Barge No. 4, another wooden railroad car ferry barge, suffered the same tragic fate as its sister vessel, Barge No. 3, on November 12, 1900. It was built in 1896 by Craig Shipbuilding Company in Toledo, Ohio, with a hull number of 71. Just like Barge No. 3, it was owned by the Lake Michigan Carferry Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad, based in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.
With identical dimensions to Barge No. 3, measuring 306.4 feet in length, 46.6 feet in width, and 12.2 feet in depth, Barge No. 4 had a gross tonnage of 1581 and a net tonnage of 1581. It had the capacity to carry 28 railroad cars, making it an essential part of the railway transportation network.
Tragically, Barge No. 4 met the same fate as its sister barge. It suffered severe damage in the powerful storm near Long Point on Lake Erie. The crew was safely taken off by the tug S.M. Fischer, which was towing both Barge No. 4 and Barge No. 3. However, the storm proved too overwhelming, and Barge No. 4 foundered soon after being abandoned. There were no reported casualties among the crew.
The barge was carrying pulpwood as its cargo, which was lost along with the vessel. The details of the loss of Barge No. 4 closely mirrored those of Barge No. 3, as both vessels were nearly identical in design and purpose. It is a testament to the challenging conditions faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during powerful storms.
Today, the remains of Barge No. 4, along with those of Barge No. 3, rest near Long Point, Lake Erie, serving as a solemn reminder of the forces of nature and the risks 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.)
