Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The Berlin was a three-masted wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was common on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners like the Berlin were designed for transporting bulk cargoes such as limestone, coal, and grain across the Great Lakes. The three-masted configuration allowed the vessel to carry a significant amount of sail, which was advantageous for navigating the often windy and expansive Great Lakes.
History #
The Berlin was launched in 1854, built by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio. Initially owned by Thomas Hamilton of Milan, the schooner was enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, that same year. Over its more than two-decade-long service, the Berlin saw a number of ownership changes and experienced several significant incidents.
In 1858, the schooner ran aground in the Detroit River. A few years later, in April 1861, the Berlin capsized in a squall in the Straits of Mackinac, a notorious area for unpredictable weather and rough waters. The crew was fortunate to be rescued by the tug Leviathan.
October 1861 saw another incident when the Berlin collided with the schooner David Todd in Buffalo Harbor. Despite these setbacks, the vessel was repaired and continued its operations. The schooner was re-enrolled in Cleveland in 1865 under the ownership of John Gerlach and later in Dunkirk, New York, in 1866. By 1868, the Berlin had undergone remeasurement and was enrolled in Buffalo.
Final Disposition #
The Berlin met its tragic end on November 8, 1877, during a fierce storm near Burnt Cabin Point, close to Pointe aux Barques on Lake Huron. The schooner was driven ashore by the storm, where it broke apart. The vessel was carrying a cargo of limestone at the time. Out of the six crew members onboard, four tragically lost their lives. The victims included the captain, cook, and a deckhand who were washed overboard. The captain’s son succumbed to exposure while lashed to the rigging. Miraculously, two crew members, Martin Oleson and Charles Hanson, both from Buffalo, survived by clinging to parts of the wreck throughout the night.
NOTMARs & Advisories #
- Current Status: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck of the Berlin. Given the vessel’s loss over a century ago and the location near Burnt Cabin Point, the wreck does not pose any navigational hazard today.
Located By & Date #
- Discovery: The exact wreck site of the Berlin near Burnt Cabin Point has not been specifically documented in public records, but the incident was well-recorded at the time of the loss.
Resources & Links #
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Swayze Shipwreck File
- NOAA – Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary
Conclusion #
The story of the Berlin serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The vessel’s history of incidents—from groundings and collisions to capsizing—culminated in a tragic storm in 1877 that claimed most of the crew. The schooner Berlin was an integral part of the Great Lakes’ maritime history, carrying vital cargoes like limestone until it was ultimately lost to the elements it had braved for over two decades.
Keywords: #
- Berlin Schooner
- Three-Masted Schooner
- Lake Huron Shipwreck
- 19th Century Shipping
- Pointe aux Barques
- Great Lakes Maritime History
- Buffalo Homeport
- Schooner Tragedy
- Limestone Cargo
- Storm Shipwreck
The Berlin’s wreck near Burnt Cabin Point stands as a testament to the rugged and often dangerous life of a schooner on the Great Lakes, where the unpredictability of the weather could swiftly turn a routine voyage into a struggle for survival.
