The story of the schooner Frances Berriman unfolds with its construction in 1872 at Tonawanda, New York, by Parsons & Humble. This three-masted wooden schooner, also described erroneously as a bark, measured 180 feet in length, 33 feet in beam, and had a depth of 14 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 669 tons.
Under the ownership of Berriman Bros. based in Buffalo, New York, the Frances Berriman embarked on various voyages throughout its history. In September 1872, it ran aground in Chicago, and in October 1875, it suffered damage to its rigging and bulwarks during a storm on Lake Michigan.
However, the most significant event in the life of the Frances Berriman occurred on May 7, 1877, in Lake Huron. While bound for Buffalo from Milwaukee, the schooner collided with the steamship David W. Rust approximately 10 miles off Sturgeon Point, Michigan. The collision occurred around 10:30 pm, resulting in the sinking of the Frances Berriman.
Tragically, two crew members out of the total of ten aboard the schooner lost their lives in the accident. The David W. Rust managed to rescue the remaining eight crew members from the Frances Berriman. The collision was attributed to a passing error, suggesting a misjudgment in navigation.
The sinking of the Frances Berriman took place in a remarkably swift timeframe, with the vessel submerging in approximately 11 minutes. The schooner carried a cargo of wheat, which was lost with the sinking. The Frances Berriman was insured for $20,000, including its cargo, with a total value estimated at $30,000.
The news of the collision and subsequent sinking spread rapidly, detailing the loss of life and the damage incurred by both vessels involved. The steamship David W. Rust, despite sustaining significant damage, managed to reach East Tawas, Michigan, where it awaited assistance. The Frances Berriman, on the other hand, met its final resting place in the depths of Lake Huron.
The sinking of the Frances Berriman garnered attention in maritime circles, given the magnitude of the loss and the ensuing financial implications. The vessel’s cargo, consisting of 40,000 bushels of wheat, incurred considerable losses, amounting to an estimated $100,000.
Over the years, there have been discussions about salvaging the Frances Berriman and other sunken vessels. Plans were proposed to purchase the sunken vessels and establish a steam wrecking barge for the purpose of salvaging them. However, the fate of the Frances Berriman remained uncertain.
The story of the Frances Berriman concludes with a tragic incident involving its former captain, whose name is not mentioned in the available information. The captain’s wife and daughter resided in Hastings, Michigan. The captain’s grief over the sinking of the schooner and the loss of two of his crew members reportedly plagued him, and he met a tragic end. The captain’s body was transported to Erie, Pennsylvania, and subsequently taken to Hastings for burial.
The Frances Berriman, once a proud and valuable vessel, sank beneath the waters of Lake Huron, leaving behind a tale of maritime tragedy and the memories of those who sailed aboard her.
