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Loss of the
F. T. Barney |
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Loss of the
F. T. Barney |
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| The F. T. Barney is one of the most spectacular wrecks to dive in the Great Lakes. She is fully intact, sitting upright in 150 feet of water, with all gear still on her. The only thing missing are the sails and the ropes. Deadeyes and blocks litter the decks and rails, winches and pumps are here and there. The anchors and steering wheel remain. The main cabin can be entered and whiskey jugs and stools examined. To top it all off, the main mast rises majestically toward the surface, with an intact crow's nest. This photo of the James H. Hall closely resembles the Barney when loaded with lumber. | 
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| The F. T. Barney was built in Vermillion, Ohio in 1856 as a two masted schooner of 136 feet. She carried the numbers 9535 carved into her forward beam of the aft hatch, which were confirmed by diver Stan Stock. She sailed from Cleveland on October 19, 1868 with a full cargo of coal. While making westerly progress between Roger City, Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac, she was struck a mortal blow in the middle of the night by the schooner Tracy J. Bronson. | The Barney was rammed just abaft the bow and quickly filled with water, sinking within five minutes. In the general confusion of the accident and the dark, the Bronson sailed away and the Barney crew perished in the cold water. Being laden with coal in the bilges and with all sail up, she settled vertically and struck bottom upright. The mizzen mast then shattered and tumbled across the ship. The boat, being well constructed of the finest Ohio white oak, held together and remains solid to this day. Even the caulking remains firm in the seams. |
| Here we see the fluke from one of three
anchors that went down with the Barney.
There are two large stock anchors like this, and one smaller anchor used for harbors and kedging as necessary. A large, modern Navy type anchor can also be found. This was lost by some recent, medium sized boat, when it fouled its anchor in the wreck. The boats' name is unknown. |
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| The stock anchors are very large, perhaps seven feet tall. They were stowed just inside the bulwarks near the bow, where they remain to this day. The left photo below shows the cathead used to secure the anchor to the ship. It took the weight off the capstan lifting the anchor, so it could be swung aboard. |  |
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The cathead (left) features a quick release mechanism to drop the anchor. This keg shows the Barney settled upright to bottom. |  |
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| A small keg of nails sits calmly reposed near the bow (above right) The bowsprit projects nearly 40 ft out from the ship (left lower). All the tackle remains in place. | Above right shows the sleek bow of the Barney with the solid wood and caulking still in place. Also dimly visible is the hawse port for the anchor chain. |
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As the anchor chain came off the capstan, it was fed into a hole in the deck into the chain locker. |  |
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Here is the capstan tipped on its side. The top end shown here received the heavy turning levers into the square holes around the rim. The lower portion (not shown) was fitted with holding dogs to prevent reverse spinning and give some pause between heaves by the crew. This was another of the back breaking jobs that had to be done in the days of sail. |
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A pair of bilge pumps (left) and many blocks like those on the right litter the deck. Note the bright caulking, solid after 133 years underwater. |  |
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| The aft cabin is a sight to behold. It is very solid and finely caulked with white lead. Very limited entry is possible through two gangways. Remember the stuff is fragile. | This was the general quarters for the captain and crew. Stools, an old whiskey jug (see note), louvered doors and bed headboards are laying about. |
Dive of the Barney continued on Page 2.
Five miles NE of Rogers City in 160 ft of water, Lat/Lon: 45-29.27 / 83-50.51
Since the pictures above were taken, the keg, jug and many blocks have disappeared off the Barney. The theft of these artifacts is a crime against sport diving. Their loss diminishes the pleasure of underwater exploration and discovery for everyone. Because of such actions, many beautiful wrecks are not being revealed by the finders, with a subsequent loss to everyone. The diver(s) that stole these items from the Barney should be ashamed of themselves. The only proper thing do to is return them to the site, or mail them to someone who would return them. This latter course of action could also apply to all the artifacts ever taken from the Great Lakes wrecks. If anyone knows of such material, please encourage the individual to do the right thing and make arrangements to return the artifacts to their proper place. No one will be prosecuted for returning something voluntarily. WJH
Credits, Notes and Links
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