Identification & Site Information

• Name: H.W. SAGE (also recorded as HENRY W. SAGE)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 95414
• Date Built & Launched: 1875
• Builder: T. Boston, Bangor, Michigan
• Original Owner: Likely private commercial interests, with later ownership including John Kelderhouse, the Maytham estate, and Capt. John Laughlin
• Registration Number(s): 95414
• Measurements: Length: 203 ft (61.87 m) Beam: 36 ft (10.97 m)Depth: 13 ft (3.96 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 848 tons
• Net Tonnage: 803 tons
• Date Lost: October 4, 1903
• Final Location: Near Poverty Island, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

The H.W. SAGE was a three-masted wooden schooner-barge, originally built as a Schooner but later converted to a Barge after sustaining damage in a collision in 1900. These Schooner-barges were commonly towed behind steam-powered vessels and were a cost-effective way to transport bulk cargo, particularly in the Great Lakes’ thriving iron ore trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Description

Constructed in 1875 by T. Boston in Bangor, Michigan, the H.W. SAGE was a large wooden vessel for her time, designed to carry bulk freight across the Great Lakes. Initially rigged as a traditional schooner with three masts, she relied on both sail power and tow assistance as maritime technology evolved. Following a severe collision in 1900, she was converted into a schooner-barge, meaning her sailing rig was reduced or eliminated, and she functioned primarily as a towed vessel in large ore fleets.

Her dimensions—203 feet in length, with a 36-foot beam and 13-foot Draft—made her well-suited for hauling iron ore, grain, and other bulk goods. The robust wooden Hull was typical of Great Lakes freighters before the widespread adoption of steel construction.

History

The H.W. SAGE had a tumultuous and eventful career on the Great Lakes, surviving multiple accidents before her eventual loss in 1903.

• 1889 (Hammond’s Bay Incident): She stranded in Hammond’s Bay in the Straits of Mackinac during November storms and was declared a Total Loss. However, she was recovered in the summer of 1891, repaired, and returned to service—demonstrating the economic value of such vessels, even after severe damage.
• 1895 (Stranded Near Cleveland): She ran aground near Cleveland, Ohio, further adding to her record of maritime mishaps.
• 1900 (Collision in the St. Clair River): On July 29, 1900, the H.W. SAGE was rammed by the steel Steamer Chicago (some reports misidentify the vessel as QUEEN OF THE WEST). The collision caused her to sink rapidly, resulting in the tragic loss of one or two crew members, who were crushed in the fo’c’sle. The wreck was raised in September 1900 in what was described as an expensive salvage operation due to strong river currents. After her recovery, she was converted from a Schooner to a Schooner-Barge.
• 1902 (Waterlogged Off Sand Beach, MI): She became waterlogged, requiring salvage assistance once again, highlighting her increasingly fragile condition as she aged.

Final Disposition

On October 4, 1903, the H.W. SAGE was being towed by the Propeller Steamer SAMOA, carrying a load of iron ore from Escanaba bound for Lake Erie. A fierce storm struck as the vessels neared Poverty Island in northern Lake Michigan—a region notorious for treacherous weather and shoals. During the storm, the H.W. SAGE was torn loose from her Towline and Foundered in the rough waters.

Fortunately, the crew was able to abandon ship safely, transferring to the steamer SAMOA before the Barge went down. Despite her history of recoveries from prior incidents, this time she was deemed a Total Loss and was not salvaged.

Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed information regarding the modern discovery of the wreck. It likely rests near Poverty Island in Lake Michigan, though the exact site may remain undocumented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are listed specifically for the wreck of the H.W. SAGE. However, the area around Poverty Island is known for navigational hazards, including rocky shoals and unpredictable weather conditions, and mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the region.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wikipedia – Poverty Island
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The H.W. SAGE’s long and eventful service life illustrates the perils and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite grounding, collisions, and severe weather incidents, the vessel was salvaged multiple times and adapted for continued use. Her final loss near Poverty Island marked the end of a rugged career, but her story remains a testament to the durability of wooden Schooner-barges and the harsh realities faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.