History #
The Robert Burns was a wooden brig that was built in 1848 by Zadoc Pangborn in Port Huron, Michigan. It had an official number of 21177 and measured 126 feet in length, 29 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 307 tons and a net tonnage of 277 tons.
The Robert Burns was known for being the last full-rigged brig on the Great Lakes, distinguishing it from the more common brigantines in the region. It operated out of Chicago and was involved in transporting various cargoes, including wheat.
Unfortunately, on November 17, 1869, the Robert Burns encountered a severe storm in the Straits of Mackinac, east of Bois Blanc Island, in Lake Huron. While in the company of several other vessels, it disappeared from view and ultimately foundered. All ten crew members on board lost their lives in the tragic event.
Efforts to rescue the vessel began in the spring of 1871, with wreckers working to salvage the wreck. However, there is no further information available regarding the success of these efforts or the ultimate fate of the vessel.
It is worth noting that the Robert Burns had previously experienced incidents in its history. In 1850, it went ashore on East Sister Island in Lake Erie and suffered partial wrecking, resulting in a loss of $7,000. The vessel was repaired in Malden following that incident. Additionally, in 1867, the Robert Burns was reported to have gone aground and sunk at Michigan City. However, it was successfully raised and towed into the river with only minor hull damage.
Overall, the Robert Burns had a notable history as one of the last full-rigged brigs on the Great Lakes before its tragic loss in 1869.
