IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The S. Burchard was a wooden schooner built in the mid-19th century, designed primarily for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Measuring 105 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 170 tons, the vessel was robust enough to navigate the often-turbulent waters of the Great Lakes. Over the years, the schooner underwent several rebuilds, which extended its operational life despite frequent maritime mishaps.
HISTORY:
The S. Burchard, originally named Sardis Burchard, was constructed in 1847 in Huron, Ohio. This wooden schooner served various owners and underwent multiple rebuilds throughout its nearly four-decade-long career on the Great Lakes.
The vessel had a tumultuous history marked by several significant incidents. In November 1859, the schooner was stranded and declared a total loss on Pointe Aux Barques in Lake Huron. However, it was salvaged in August 1860 after several attempts, demonstrating the resilience of both the vessel and those who operated it. The S. Burchard also wrecked in Lake Huron in 1870 and sank in the Straits in 1879, only to be salvaged and put back into service each time.
The S. Burchard continued its career until October 31, 1882, when it met its final fate in a storm near Gravelly Shoal at Point Lookout in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The schooner was being towed by the steamer Don M. Dickinson when it broke its towline and drifted into shallow water. Efforts were made to pump out the water and save the vessel, but these were ultimately unsuccessful. The schooner was abandoned the following day, and it eventually broke apart. At the time of its loss, the S. Burchard was carrying 35 cords of stone.
Throughout its operational life, the S. Burchard changed hands multiple times. The last known owner of the vessel was C.H. Weeks of Bay City, Michigan. The ship’s official documentation was surrendered in December 1883, marking the end of its documented existence.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The S. Burchard foundered and broke apart near Gravelly Shoal in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, after being abandoned in a storm on October 31, 1882. The vessel was declared a total loss, and its remains were left to the elements.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the S. Burchard.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The specific location of the S. Burchard’s wreck has not been definitively documented.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
KEYWORDS:
S. Burchard, Sardis Burchard, schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, Saginaw Bay, Great Lakes maritime history, storm, Gravelly Shoal, shipwreck salvage.
CONCLUSION:
The story of the S. Burchard is one of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite multiple shipwrecks and the challenges of navigating the Great Lakes, the schooner was repeatedly salvaged and returned to service. However, like many vessels of its era, the S. Burchard ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature. Its loss in 1882 near Point Lookout in Saginaw Bay serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who sailed the Great Lakes, and its story is preserved as part of the rich maritime history of the region.
