Mackinaw City in Emmet County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Eber Ward

Sank April 20, 1909 — Five lives lost

— Shipwrecks Nearby —

Eber Ward Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2017

1. Eber Ward Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Eber Ward hit ice, sank quickly

Entering the Straits from the west the captain saw what he thought was slush ice. He reported that he slowed the boat and completely stopped the engines before hitting the ice pack that ripped open the bow and sent the boat to the bottom within 10 minutes.

The crew made it to the two lifeboats and both were launched. But as the Eber Ward sank, the curved davits, shown here holding the lifeboats, caught the edge of one of the lifeboats, flipped it and threw the crew into the icy water. Five of the crew members perished leaving "a few bubbles."

Counter OpinionsA former captain asserted that the Ward undoubtedly hit a rock. It could not have been ice since the bow was sheathed with iron plates and had a watertight bulkhead.

First Mat Gallino disagreed with the captain, the engines were not going slow — disagreed with former captain, it was ice not a rock.

The Steamboat Inspection Service said the captain was guilty of misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties. His license was revoked.

In Memoriam
John

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Hern • James Perry • John Leubrath • Kenny McKay • Deckhand

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1909.

Location. 45° 47.232′ N, 84° 46.38′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Emmet County. Marker can be reached from Headlands Road north of McGulpin Point Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the Discovery Trail at McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Headlands Road, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Carl D. Bradley (here, next to this marker); James W. Bennett (here, next to this marker); Cedarville (here, next to this marker); Minneapolis (here, next to this marker); William H. Barnum (here, next to this marker); McGulpin Family Life (a few steps from this marker); Crossing the Straits (a few steps from this marker); Chi-Sin Trail (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Shipwrecks Near McGulpin Point Lighthouse

Also see . . .
1. Eber Ward Shipwreck. This vessel was built with 2 decks, and could handle package or bulk freight. It was fitted with a powered unloading

Marker detail: Shipwrecked Sailors of the <i>Eber Ward</i> image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Shipwrecked Sailors of the Eber Ward

Left to right: First Mate A. Gallino, Capt. Timese LeMay, Chief Engineer Frank Baldwin, 2nd Engineer S. Shipman, Deckhand Augustus Palmer, Wheelsman Charles Lester, Steward John Winterhaler, and Wheelsman Frank Gutch

apparatus for grain cargo, and in later years in even sported electric lighting. The Eber Ward left her winter quarters in Chicago and picked up a cargo of corn in Milwaukee, bound for Port Huron. The wreck sits upright with cabins missing but hull intact, headed due south, about 5 miles West of the Mackinac Bridge in 145′ of water. (Submitted on August 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Eber Ward Shipwreck. The bow was punctured with ice and charges were levied against Captain Timese Lemay, who later admitted, that he felt the ice was “slush” and sailed the Eber Ward way too hard for the conditions at the time. Five lives were lost from the crew of fifteen. (Submitted on August 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: <i>Eber Ward</i> image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Eber Ward

Marker detail: <i>Eber Ward</i> Shipwreck Location image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Eber Ward Shipwreck Location

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2017

5. Eber Ward Marker

(third from right of six related markers at this location)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.