P.H. BIRCKHEAD, a propeller ship with a rich history, made its mark on the Great Lakes as a reliable bulk freight carrier. Constructed in 1870 by D. Lester in Marine City, Michigan, this wooden vessel measured 157 feet in length, 28 feet in width, and had a depth of 13 feet. With a gross tonnage of 495 and a net tonnage of 222, it was well-suited for transporting substantial cargo loads across the Great Lakes.
On September 30, 1905, tragedy struck the P.H. Birckhead off the docks at Alpena, Michigan. The ship had been towed into the harbor the previous day due to a blown cylinder head. After undergoing repairs, the vessel was preparing to depart when a devastating fire broke out. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the ship burned to the waterline and sank in the bay. Miraculously, no lives were lost in the incident, but the ship and its cargo of coal were lost forever.
The P.H. Birckhead was known for its unique twin tandem arch construction, featuring double arches built into the hull on both sides. Additionally, the ship was equipped with twin compound engines that ran a single shaft, showcasing innovative engineering for its time. Throughout its years of service, the vessel underwent several rebuilds and modifications, including a major rebuilding in Port Huron, Michigan in April 1874.
The final moments of the P.H. Birckhead were marked by tragedy and loss. The ship’s ownership was held by James O’Connor of Tonawanda, and it was under the command of Captain James Heffron. The vessel, laden with coal and bound for Racine from Ashtabula, met its fiery demise off Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. Following the fire, the ship’s final enrollment was surrendered on March 31, 1906, in Buffalo, New York.
The wreck of the P.H. Birckhead and its charred remains were later sold to the Murray Company of Bay City for $1,100. This event marked the end of a vessel that had once been a stalwart of the Great Lakes shipping industry. Despite its tragic fate, the legacy of the P.H. Birckhead lives on as a testament to the dangers faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of maritime endeavors on the Great Lakes.
As we remember the P.H. Birckhead and its role in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, we honor the memory of the crew who sailed aboard her and acknowledge the risks they faced in their endeavors. The story of the P.H. Birckhead serves as a reminder of the courage and resilience of those who navigated the challenging waters of the Great Lakes in pursuit of trade and commerce.
