The William H. Barnum was a propeller wood freighter that met its tragic fate on April 3, 1894. Built in 1873 by J.M. Jones in Detroit, this vessel was an impressive 219 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 21 feet deep, weighing 1,212 gross tons and 1,059 net tons. It was primarily used for transporting goods, particularly corn, and was owned by C.A. Chamberlain and others from Detroit.
The ill-fated voyage began as the William H. Barnum set sail from Chicago, bound for Port Huron. Loaded with 55,000 bushels of corn, the freighter was one of the first vessels attempting to navigate the treacherous Straits of Mackinac that spring. Unfortunately, disaster struck when the ship encountered floating ice.
The hull of the William H. Barnum was severely damaged by the ice, causing it to start taking on water. Despite the perilous situation, the crew remained determined to make it to shore. They fought against the odds, hoping to reach safety. However, their efforts were in vain as the ship encountered shelf ice, which trapped and stranded it.
The wrecking tug Crusader arrived at the scene to rescue the crew members, but they could do little to save the sinking freighter. The crew was safely evacuated from the vessel before it succumbed to the frigid depths of Lake Huron, coming to rest in 11 fathoms of water, approximately 5.5 miles southeast of Mackinaw City.
It was later revealed that the William H. Barnum was already in poor condition during its final voyage. In fact, the ship had been given insurance coverage for only that single trip, indicating doubts about its seaworthiness. The vessel’s owners, C. A. Chamberlain and others from Detroit, would later file a lawsuit against the insurance companies, seeking compensation for their loss.
Over the years, there were attempts to salvage the wreck of the William H. Barnum. In 1969, partial salvage operations took place, but most of the artifacts had already been stripped from the sunken vessel.
The story of the William H. Barnum serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by ships traversing icy waters. Despite the valiant efforts of its crew, the freighter met its demise, forever becoming a part of the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
