Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= NOTICE TO USERS - These files are protected by the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Information contained herein is provided for research purposes and may be freely linked to. Copying for redistribution or presentation by any person, persons or organization is not allowed without the written permission of the author/submitter. Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Howard S. Gerken OTHER NAME(s): built as Rosamund Billete, by 1918 City of Winnipeg, rebuilt as T. P. Phelen, sold US in 1920 and renamed Howard S. Gerken OFFICIAL NO: (Can. 1910-1919) 130272, (Can 1919-1925) 140953, (US 1925-1926) 225429 DATE OF LOSS: 21 August 1926 CAUSE OF LOSS: Storm LOCATION: Lake Erie, off Erie, Pa. RIG TYPE: Propeller, sandsucker HULL TYPE: Steel BUILDER: Doty Engineering Works, Winnipeg, 1910 OWNER(S): Buffalo Sand & Gravel, H. S. Gerken. MASTER: Capt. John B. Gamble TONNAGE: 1,322 gt DIMENSIONS: 237.2 x 41.0 x 14.7 CASUALTIES: 3 Overpowered by a severe late summer gale after leaving Erie with a cargo of sand for Buffalo. The GERKEN was making an effort to return to Erie for protection when she went to the bottom. Water found its way into her compart- ments as her hatch covers had been removed during her conversion to a sand boat. The pumps were unable to keep down the water and the crew took to the life-boats. Spotting signals of distress the car ferry MAITLAND rounded to and, after three attempts, got close enough to pick up the survivors. During the attempt a tremendous wave swept away one of the boats, still containing four men, and swamped it. The lone survivor, fireman Herman Wegmann, was picked up by the coast guard in mid-lake, many miles from the disaster scene. There was a failed attempt to float the GERKEN in 1928 when her hull was located 8 miles from the outer gas buoy at the entrance to Erie harbor. Victims: William Logan (left widow Agnes M.) George McMinn Richard Freeman ======================================================================== Sources: Buffalo Courier-Express, 30 July 1930 Buffalo Evening News, 21 August 1926 Annual Report of the Lake Carriers' Association, 1926 Buffalo Courier-Express, 9 June 1927 Merchant Vessel List - 1927 Buffalo Courier-Express, 21 October 1928 American Martime Cases, Vol. 1, 1928 Great Lakes Online Vessel Index - BGSU