Haynes Township near Harrisville in Alcona County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bernice D

— Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025

1. Bernice D Marker

Inscription.

Bernice D. . The history of the Great Lakes is dominated by tales of majestic schooners and gigantic freighters battling storms. Working in the shadows of these larger ships, thousands of small workboats tolled in every corner of the Great Lakes. They were locally owned and seldom ventured far from their homeport. They could be fishing platforms, ferries, or pleasure cruisers depending on the day of the week. Like their bigger cousins, they evolved over time, from sailing and rowing to steam and then to internal combustion., The timbers here are the remains of one such craft. Built in 1915 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, the Bernice D was just over 30 feet long. The owners of the small open boat were fishermen, drying their catch for bulk shipment. With at least six owners, the Bernice D had a remarkably long career-66 years. In 1981, it was finally abandoned., (Footer) , The 4,300-square-mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects the Great Lakes and their rich history. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary endures that future generations can enjoy our irreplaceable underwater treasures., The sanctuary encourages paddlers, divers, and snorkelers to visit Thunder Bay's shipwrecks. Seasonal mooring buoys can be found on many popular shipwrecks. Moorings not only make shipwrecks easier to locate and safer to visit, they also help prevent anchor damage to these irreplaceable hislorical sites., The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail connects visitors with Lake Huron's fascinating maritime past. Whether, diving a shipwreck or climbing a lighthouse, you can find more storiess along the trail. This marker was funded by a federal Transportation Enhancement Grant and by the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, Please join the sanctuary in preserving our maritime heritage for future generations. Removing artifacts or damaging shipwrecks is illegal. Please report looting to the DNR 1-800-292-7500., All artwork, historic and underwater images courtesy of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary unless otherwise noted.

The history of the Great Lakes is dominated by tales of majestic schooners and gigantic freighters battling storms. Working in the shadows of these larger ships, thousands of small workboats tolled in every corner of the Great Lakes. They were locally owned and seldom ventured far from their homeport. They could be fishing platforms, ferries, or pleasure cruisers depending on the day of the week. Like their bigger cousins, they evolved over time, from sailing and rowing to steam and then to internal combustion.

The timbers here are the remains of one such craft. Built in 1915 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, the Bernice D was just over 30 feet long. The owners of the small open boat were fishermen, drying their catch for bulk shipment. With at least six owners, the Bernice D had a remarkably long career-66 years. In 1981, it was finally abandoned.

(Footer)
The 4,300-square-mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects the Great Lakes and their rich history. Through research, education, and community involvement, the sanctuary endures that future generations can enjoy our irreplaceable underwater treasures.

The sanctuary encourages paddlers, divers, and snorkelers to visit Thunder Bay's shipwrecks. Seasonal mooring buoys can be found on many popular shipwrecks. Moorings not only make shipwrecks

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easier to locate and safer to visit, they also help prevent anchor damage to these irreplaceable hislorical sites.

The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail connects visitors with Lake Huron's fascinating maritime past. Whether, diving a shipwreck or climbing a lighthouse, you can find more storiess along the trail. This marker was funded by a federal Transportation Enhancement Grant and by the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments

Please join the sanctuary in preserving our maritime heritage for future generations. Removing artifacts or damaging shipwrecks is illegal. Please report looting to the DNR 1-800-292-7500.

All artwork, historic and underwater images courtesy of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary unless otherwise noted.

Erected by Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, Michigan Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 44° 42.746′ N, 83° 16.381′ W. Marker is near Harrisville, Michigan, in Alcona County. It is in Haynes Township. It can be reached from Point Road east of Sturgeon Trailways Road, on the left when traveling east. From the parking lot at the trailhead, follow

Bernice D Marker and boat remains. Trail from parking lot to the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 24, 2025

2. Bernice D Marker and boat remains. Trail from parking lot to the left

the trail towards Sturgeon Point Lighthouse about 400 feet. Marker and boat remains are on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6071 Point Road, Harrisville MI 48740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rudder Unknown (within shouting distance of this marker); Rudder "Marine City" (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Coast Guard Watchtower Alarm Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Marine City (within shouting distance of this marker); Rudder ~ St. Tugboat "Loretta" (within shouting distance of this marker); Anchor Windlass (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The "Bernice D" (within shouting distance of this marker); Loretta (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisville.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.