The Lotta Bernard, a wooden sidewheel steamer, was built in 1869 by W & L Jackson in Port Clinton, Ohio. The vessel was originally fitted out at Sandusky. It had dimensions of 125 feet in length, 20 feet in width, and 7 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 147 (190 old measure).
On October 29, 1874, the Lotta Bernard foundered in a severe storm while en route from Silver Islet to Duluth on Lake Superior. The vessel was known as a “rabbit” freighter, referring to its shallow draft and limited speed of only 4 mph. The captain attempted to reach Duluth by running the vessel at full steam, but it became clear that the ship was going to sink. The captain decided to put the vessel in the shallows, approximately 6 miles below Encampment River. The crew managed to reach shore in a boat, but tragically, three crew members died from exposure during their long trek to find help in the desolate area.
The Lotta Bernard was owned by E. Ingalls & Co. of Duluth, and its master was Captain Michael Norris. The vessel was carrying general merchandise at the time of its loss.
In a separate incident prior to its final sinking, the Lotta Bernard had experienced damage on multiple occasions. In November 1871, it was torn from a dock during a storm in Grand Marais and blown ashore, resulting in damage to the hull, rudder, paddlewheel, and boiler. The vessel was refloated and taken to Duluth for repairs. Then, in November 1872, it ran aground west of the piers in Ontonagon, Michigan, due to a snowstorm and suffered damage to the rudder chains. It was subsequently released and taken for repairs.
The loss of the Lotta Bernard on Lake Superior in 1874 resulted in the loss of three lives. The vessel foundered off Encampment Island, and it was ultimately stranded and broke up.
