Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: P.H. Birckhead
- Type: Propeller Freighter
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 157 ft (48 m); Beam: 28 ft; Depth of hold: 13 ft
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 495 tons; Net: 222 tons
- Location: Alpena, Michigan
- Official Number: US 20400
- Original Owners: James O’Connor of Tonawanda
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Overview
- Name: P.H. Birckhead
- Type: Propeller Freighter
- Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Year Built: 1870
- Dimensions:
- Length: 157 feet
- Beam: 28 feet
- Depth: 13 feet
- Tonnage:
- Gross: 495 tons
- Net: 222 tons
- Unique Features:
- Hull Design: Twin tandem arch construction with double arches built into both sides of the hull.
- Engines: Twin compound engines operating a single shaft, a notable engineering feature of the time.
Description
The P.H. Birckhead served as a dependable bulk freight carrier on the Great Lakes, transporting a variety of goods, including coal, across the region. Built to endure the challenging conditions of Great Lakes navigation, the vessel underwent several rebuilds during its operational life, including a significant overhaul in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1874.
History
The Final Voyage
- Date of Incident: September 30, 1905
- Location: Alpena, Michigan (off the docks in Thunder Bay)
- Cause: A devastating fire that broke out after repairs were completed for a blown cylinder head.
- Cargo: Coal (bound for Racine, Wisconsin, from Ashtabula, Ohio).
Significant Incidents
Outcome:
- The fire consumed the vessel, burning it to the waterline.
- The ship sank in Alpena Bay, along with its cargo.
No lives were lost, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
Legacy and Wreckage
- Ownership: At the time of its demise, the vessel was owned by James O’Connor of Tonawanda and under the command of Captain James Heffron.
- Final Enrollment: Surrendered on March 31, 1906, in Buffalo, New York.
- Post-Tragedy Sale: The charred wreck was sold to the Murray Company of Bay City for $1,100.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreckage remains a somber reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels and crews navigating the Great Lakes. It also reflects the innovation of its time, with its advanced hull design and twin-engine setup.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”p-h-birckhead-us-20400″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Significance
The P.H. Birckhead’s story illustrates both the ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilding and the inherent risks of the region’s maritime trade. Its fiery end underscores the unpredictability of life on the lakes and serves as a tribute to the resilience of the sailors who braved those waters. Today, the memory of the P.H. Birckhead is preserved in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history, honoring the vessel’s contributions to commerce and the lives of the men who sailed her decks.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Vessel Overview
- Name: P.H. Birckhead
- Type: Propeller Freighter
- Builder: D. Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Year Built: 1870
- Dimensions:
- Length: 157 feet
- Beam: 28 feet
- Depth: 13 feet
- Tonnage:
- Gross: 495 tons
- Net: 222 tons
- Unique Features:
- Hull Design: Twin tandem arch construction with double arches built into both sides of the hull.
- Engines: Twin compound engines operating a single shaft, a notable engineering feature of the time.
Operational History
The P.H. Birckhead served as a dependable bulk freight carrier on the Great Lakes, transporting a variety of goods, including coal, across the region. Built to endure the challenging conditions of Great Lakes navigation, the vessel underwent several rebuilds during its operational life, including a significant overhaul in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1874.
The Final Voyage
- Date of Incident: September 30, 1905
- Location: Alpena, Michigan (off the docks in Thunder Bay)
- Cause: A devastating fire that broke out after repairs were completed for a blown cylinder head.
- Cargo: Coal (bound for Racine, Wisconsin, from Ashtabula, Ohio).
Outcome:
- The fire consumed the vessel, burning it to the waterline.
- The ship sank in Alpena Bay, along with its cargo.
No lives were lost, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
Legacy and Wreckage
- Ownership: At the time of its demise, the vessel was owned by James O’Connor of Tonawanda and under the command of Captain James Heffron.
- Final Enrollment: Surrendered on March 31, 1906, in Buffalo, New York.
- Post-Tragedy Sale: The charred wreck was sold to the Murray Company of Bay City for $1,100.
The wreckage remains a somber reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels and crews navigating the Great Lakes. It also reflects the innovation of its time, with its advanced hull design and twin-engine setup.
Significance
The P.H. Birckhead’s story illustrates both the ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilding and the inherent risks of the region’s maritime trade. Its fiery end underscores the unpredictability of life on the lakes and serves as a tribute to the resilience of the sailors who braved those waters.
Today, the memory of the P.H. Birckhead is preserved in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history, honoring the vessel’s contributions to commerce and the lives of the men who sailed her decks.
P.H. BIRCKHEAD, a propeller ship with a rich history, made its mark on the Great Lakes as a reliable bulk freight carrier. Constructed in 1870 by D. Lester in Marine City, Michigan, this wooden vessel measured 157 feet in length, 28 feet in width, and had a depth of 13 feet. With a gross tonnage of 495 and a net tonnage of 222, it was well-suited for transporting substantial cargo loads across the Great Lakes. p-h-birckhead-us-20400 1905-09-30 07:48:00