Other Names #
- J. BERTSCHY
- JACOB BETSCHY
History #
The JACOB BERTSCHY, also known as JACOB BETSCHY and J. BERTSCHY, was a propeller ship that was built in 1867 by A.C. Stokes in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It had the official number 75124 and was constructed using wood. The ship had dimensions of 140 feet in length, 27 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 467 tons.
On September 3, 1879, the JACOB BERTSCHY encountered a storm on Lake Huron, just west of Grindstone City, Michigan. Initially seeking shelter in Port Austin harbor, the ship’s situation worsened when the wind shifted, causing it to pound heavily. In an attempt to escape the storm, the ship set sail for open water but started taking on water and sprung a leak. The crew decided to run the ship aground on a beach under a bluff to save the passengers and crew.
During the journey to reach the beach, the JACOB BERTSCHY shipped a significant amount of water, extinguishing its fires and leaving it stranded. The ship eventually went aground on a reef and was wrecked. The Pointe Aux Barques Lifesaving crew engaged in a challenging rescue operation, successfully saving all 51 people aboard the ship.
The storm completely destroyed the JACOB BERTSCHY, which was carrying a cargo of wheat and shingles. The ship was bound from Saginaw to Cleveland at the time of the incident. The master of the vessel was Captain G. W. McGregor.
Prior to its loss in the storm, the JACOB BERTSCHY had also suffered over $10,000 worth of damage in a fire in Depere, Wisconsin, in August 1872.
After the wreck, the machinery of the JACOB BERTSCHY, including the boiler and engine, was salvaged and transported to Port Huron, Michigan. Captain Merriman oversaw the salvage operation, and the engine was successfully detached from the wreck without any damage. The salvaged machinery was intended to be overhauled during the winter and used in a steam barge.
Here are some additional historical details about the ship:
- In 1868, the JACOB BERTSCHY was owned by N. Englemann.
- In 1869, it operated on the Milwaukee-Manistee route three times a week.
- In 1870, the ship was owned by Andrew Reed and ran iron ore shipments between Chicago, Escanaba, and Green Bay.
- On October 4, 1870, the JACOB BERTSCHY was sold to Blanchard & Arnold in Milwaukee.
- In August 1872, the ship suffered fire damage in Depere, Wisconsin, but the extent of the damage was minimal.
- On November 25, 1872, the ship ran ashore at Escanaba while loaded with ore, but again the damage was not significant.
- In 1873, the ship was owned by N. Englemann under Englemann Transportation.
- By April 13, 1875, the JACOB BERTSCHY came under the ownership of the Northwestern Transportation Company based in Detroit, Michigan.
- On September 21, 1875, the ownership changed again to C.D. Chamberlain and others in Detroit.
- In April 1876, the ship underwent a rebuilding process, increasing its tonnage to 433.25 gross tons and 318 net tons. A ladies’ cabin was also added.
- From 1876, the JACOB BERTSCHY operated
