BERTIE CALKINS C16127

The BERTIE CALKINS, a three-masted wooden schooner, embarked on a remarkable journey filled with perils, mishaps, and eventual redemption on the Great Lakes. Built in 1874 by Hanson & Scove in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, this vessel weathered storms, collisions, and abandonment, showcasing the resilience of the sailors and the vessel itself.

Measuring 134 feet in length, with a beam of 28 feet and a depth of 9 feet, the BERTIE CALKINS weighed 256 gross tons and 243 net tons. Under the ownership of Peter Hanson and others in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, it set sail as a schooner, serving various purposes in the transportation industry.

Throughout its history, the BERTIE CALKINS experienced a series of unfortunate events. In November 1888, it broke free from its tow in the Chicago River, colliding with the Randolph Street Bridge. However, the ship managed to survive the mishap and continued its service.

Around 1909, the vessel changed hands and was sold to J.S. McQueen of Belleville, Ontario, Canada. It was during this period that the BERTIE CALKINS faced its most daunting challenge. On October 3, 1919, the schooner foundered in a violent storm near Belleville, in Quinte Bay on Lake Ontario. The ship was reported as a total loss, leaving its fate uncertain.

Fortunately, fate had other plans for the BERTIE CALKINS. The vessel was later recovered from its watery grave, defying the odds and marking a turning point in its storied history. After its rescue, the schooner continued to operate for a few more years before being converted into a barge.

However, the BERTIE CALKINS’ luck eventually ran out. Around 1930, it was abandoned, ending its active service on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s last recorded registration occurred in 1931, marking the official end of its seafaring days.

Despite its turbulent journey, the BERTIE CALKINS showcased the indomitable spirit of the sailors who manned it. Its survival and subsequent transformation into a barge serve as a testament to the durability and adaptability of vessels on the Great Lakes.

In one noteworthy incident, the steamer M. SICKEN came to the aid of the BERTIE CALKINS just in time, rescuing the sinking schooner off the north shore. The crew of the CALKINS, exhausted from their battle with the water-filled hold, was saved from a potential disaster. The steamer’s timely intervention prevented the vessel from foundering completely. The BERTIE CALKINS discharged its cargo of 400 tons of coal at Belleville, Ontario, before undergoing repairs and re-caulking.

The BERTIE CALKINS’ journey serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes. It stands as a testament to the determination and perseverance required to overcome adversity and continue sailing the waters of the inland seas.

Though its active years may have come to an end, the BERTIE CALKINS will forever be remembered for its remarkable tale of survival and redemption on the Great Lakes. Its legacy lives on in the annals of maritime history, serving as a symbol of the strength and resilience of the sailors who braved the unpredictable waters of the region.

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