- Ferry
- 300ft 100m Lengths
- 43ffw 12m Depths
- Thunder Bay, Lake Superior
- N45° 00.919’ W83° 18.238’
BARGE NO. 1: The Stranding of a Railroad Car Ferry Barge
Barge No. 1, a wooden barge primarily serving as a railroad car ferry, met a tragic fate on November 8, 1918. This vessel, with a history of transporting railroad cars and various cargoes, found itself stranded on North Point in Thunder Bay, Michigan, on Lake Huron. Despite the valiant efforts to save her, Barge No. 1 became a total loss in the stormy conditions. Thankfully, no lives were lost in this unfortunate incident.
Built in West Bay City, Michigan, in 1895 by James Davidson, Barge No. 1 measured 309.75 feet in length, 44.16 feet in width, and had a depth of 12.00 feet. With a gross tonnage of 1,544.78 and a net tonnage of 1,463.13, this wooden barge was a notable vessel in its time. It had a hull number of 00070 and was originally owned by the Lake Michigan Car Ferry Transportation Company, a subsidiary of the Wisconsin & Michigan Railroad, with its home port in Marquette, Michigan.
Barge No. 1’s primary purpose was to transport railroad cars across Lake Michigan, connecting Peshtigo, Wisconsin, to Chicago. It operated in this capacity from April 15, 1895. However, over the years, its ownership changed hands. In 1910, it was owned by Johnson & Rosch (or Rasch) of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and was utilized for transporting pulpwood and bulk freights. By 1918, it had come under the ownership of Kreeton & Company based in Drummond Island, Michigan.
On that fateful day in November 1918, Barge No. 1 fell victim to a powerful storm. While grounded, it suffered the forceful impact of the waves, causing it to break in two. Eventually, the barge slipped into the deep waters of Lake Huron, where it found its final resting place. Lumber and chickens were the cargo aboard the barge at the time of the incident.
The stranding of Barge No. 1 resulted in a total loss of the vessel. The storm had proved too formidable, rendering the barge irreparable. However, amidst the tragedy, there was solace in the fact that no lives were lost. The crew of seven members managed to escape the vessel’s fate and survive the ordeal.
It is worth noting that Barge No. 1 had experienced a previous incident during its launch, where it was holed by a launching timber. Rails were subsequently installed on its deck in Chicago. This earlier mishap may have contributed to the vessel’s eventual demise.
The story of Barge No. 1 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron. The vessel, once a vital link in the transportation of goods, now lies silently beneath the surface, carrying the memories of its ill-fated journey.
(Note: The information presented in this article is based on historical records and accounts of the incident.)
