The Tragic Tale of the MARY BIRCKHEAD: A Schooner-Barge Lost to the Depths of the Detroit River
In the annals of maritime history, stories of shipwrecks and collisions stand as reminders of the perils faced by sailors. One such tale is that of the Mary Birckhead, a schooner-barge that met its untimely end in the treacherous waters of the Detroit River on October 9, 1891. With a collision that would seal its fate, the Mary Birckhead would become a haunting reminder of the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes.
Born in 1867 in the shipyards of Jackson or Oak Harbor, Ohio, the Mary Birckhead was a schooner-barge boasting a sturdy wood construction and a two-mast configuration. Owned initially by P. H. Birckhead and others from Toledo, Ohio, the vessel would change hands over the years, eventually coming under the ownership of Peter H. Fick of Saginaw, Michigan, in 1890.
On that fateful October day in 1891, the Mary Birckhead, laden with a cargo of coal, embarked on its journey bound for Port Huron. Towed by the tug Annie Moiles, the schooner-barge made its way along the Detroit River, unaware of the imminent danger lurking in its path.
Tragedy struck when the Mary Birckhead collided with the steamer Roman near Lime-Kiln Crossing. The impact was devastating, causing the schooner-barge to sink rapidly into the depths of the river. The collision claimed the vessel as a total loss, leaving its crew fortunate to have escaped with their lives.
The wreckage of the Mary Birckhead posed a significant obstacle to navigation, virtually blocking the channel. For the remainder of October, vessels cautiously navigated the treacherous waters, avoiding the remnants of the ill-fated schooner-barge. Determined to restore safe passage, authorities decided to take decisive action.
To clear the channel and alleviate the danger posed by the wreck, authorities resorted to an explosive solution. Using dynamite, the remnants of the Mary Birckhead were blown apart, allowing the river to flow freely once again. It was a necessary but somber ending to the vessel’s story.
The sinking of the Mary Birckhead serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of maritime travel. Beyond the loss of a vessel, the incident highlighted the importance of navigational safety and the need for regulations to prevent similar accidents in narrow and shallow areas.
The tragic tale of the Mary Birckhead, a schooner-barge lost to the depths of the Detroit River, echoes through time as a testament to the challenges faced by seafarers. As maritime enthusiasts and historians recount the stories of vessels lost to collisions and shipwrecks, the memory of the Mary Birckhead serves as a reminder to respect the power and unpredictability of the mighty Great Lakes.
