It was on this date in 1887 that the steamer Celtic cut their tow Bessie Barwick loose on Lake Superior. Celtic was having troubles with a propeller shaft and had to let the barge go to fend for herself. The Barwick immediately raised her emergency colors, and attempted to steer as best they could for nearby Michipicoten Island. The Celtic never saw the Barwick again.. and newspapers guessed for two weeks over the fate of the crew. Turns out the ship crashed ashore at Pilot Harbour and the crew took to the yawl boat to find refuge. Lake Superiors east shoreline is largely deserted, so they floated until they found a fishing hut near the Dog River. The tug Peter Coates finally brought the crew home to St Catherines.. but the lumber cargo (and the ship named for a bankers daughter) remained on Gitchie Gumee.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:36:58 +0000