Sunk by Ice in the Straits of Mackinac
The EBER WARD, a package freight propeller with a long history of service, met a tragic end on April 20, 1909. While sailing through the icy waters of the Straits of Mackinac with a cargo of corn, the vessel struck an ice flow, leading to its rapid sinking. The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of five lives out of the sixteen people on board. This article recounts the harrowing event that befell the EBER WARD and the rescue efforts that followed.
On April 20, 1909, the EBER WARD encountered an ice flow just 5 miles west of Mackinaw City. Striking the ice with great force, the vessel was quickly overwhelmed, and despite the desperate efforts of the crew, it foundered in the frigid waters. Tragically, five men lost their lives in the incident.
The EBER WARD, along with its cargo of corn, was declared a total loss as a result of the sinking. The vessel had served as a package freight propeller since its construction in July 1888, accumulating a substantial gross tonnage of 1,343 tons. Now, it lay at the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac, becoming another unfortunate casualty in the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.
During the calamity, some of the crew members were on deck and were able to quickly launch a yawl boat to escape the sinking vessel. These survivors were later rescued by the steamer BENNINGTON, which responded promptly to the distress signal. The rescued crew members were brought safely to Mackinaw City, where they received medical attention and assistance.
The tragic sinking of the EBER WARD in the Straits of Mackinac on April 20, 1909, stands as a somber reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the icy waters of the Great Lakes. The sudden collision with an ice flow spelled disaster for the vessel and resulted in the loss of lives and cargo. Despite the rescue efforts, the EBER WARD was claimed by the depths of the lake, becoming yet another unfortunate entry in the annals of maritime tragedies on the Great Lakes.
