Jacob Bertschy

© Copyright 2017-2021 Michigan Diver LLC or their respective credited artist. 
 All rights reserved.

JACOB BERTSCHY - 10 Feet Deep.  The Jacob Bertschy was lost in a storm on September 3rd, 1879. It grounded with 51 crew and passengers (everyone was saved) and a cargo of shingles and wheat. The Bertschy was a wooden steamer built in 1867 in Sheboygan, WI, and was 138 feet long.

Drawing of the Jacob Bertschy by Artist Robert McGreevy (www.McGreevy.com)

Today the Bertschy sits in only 6-8 feet of water and is a possible shore dive (very long swim) out of Grindstone City Harbor or is reachable by boat for snorkeling or scuba diving.

News articles regarding the loss of the Jacob Bertschy

June 2021

There seems to be very little available or published in terms of a photo of the Jacob Bertschy or images of the wreckage.  Capt'n Cindy decided it was time to change at least the lack of underwater images of the Jacob Bertschy wreck site.  Initially, the wreck site of the Jacob Bertschy was listed as a shore dive from the Grindstone Marina.  As we investigated the location of the wreck site, it was determined that it would be a long swim from shore to the reported location.  Cindy rightfully opted to perform the search with her DiveX Pirahna DPV (Dive Propulsion Vehicle) or commonly called dive scooter. 

Capt'n Cindy with her DiveX Pirahna DPV

Scootering out toward the believed wreck location, Cindy was able to find scattered remains of the vessel indicating she was headed in the right direction.

'

Scattered pieces of wreckage from the Jacob Bertschy

Continuing the search, additional pieces were found.

Additional wreckage scattered on the lake floor of the Jacob Bertschy

Finally, after additional searching of the area with the DVP, Cindy found the largest piece of the Jacob Bertschy wreckage, the keel.  A photogrammetry model was created from the footage gathered to better understand how the wrecksite looks today.

Photogrammetry model of the wreck site of the Jacob Bertschy as it lies on the bottom of Lake Huron.

After many years on the bottom of Lake Huron, the wind, waves, and have broken up the wreck and scattered the debris across a large bottomland area.  Much of the keel is now buried in the rock and gravel and the wreckage sits embedded and even with the bottom contours.

 

The Jacob Bertschy wreck site lies within the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve.  As mentioned previously this is probably a site best enjoyed from a boat.  The swim from shore is rather long!