SACHEM (1889) – Identification & Site Information

• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 116267
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Bulk Freight (“Sandsucker”)
• Build Info: 1889, Duncan Robertson, Grand Haven, Michigan
• Specs: Length: 187 ft (57 m) Beam: 34 ft (10.36 m) Depth: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 739 tons
• Net Tonnage: 543 tons
• Date of Loss: October 8, 1928
• Place of Loss: Near Port Lambton, Ontario, on the St. Clair River
• Lake/River: St. Clair River
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: None
• Carrying: Unknown (likely equipment related to sand dredging operations)

Vessel Type

The SACHEM was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven bulk freight vessel, often referred to as a “sandsucker” due to its role in dredging sand from riverbeds and lake bottoms. In 1912, she was equipped with a clamshell crane to enhance her sand operations, making her a specialized vessel for dredging activities throughout the Great Lakes region, particularly in rivers and harbors.

Description & History

Built in 1889 by Duncan Robertson in Grand Haven, Michigan, the SACHEM began her service as a standard bulk freighter. Over time, she was converted into a sandsucker, a vessel specifically designed for dredging operations. The ship was owned by the Lockheart Transportation & Towing Company of Detroit, which operated a fleet of vessels engaged in transportation, towing, and industrial dredging operations across the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.

In 1912, the SACHEM underwent significant modifications to support her new role in dredging, including the installation of a clamshell crane used for extracting sand from the riverbeds. This equipment made her an essential asset in maintaining navigable channels, particularly in areas with shifting sediments like the St. Clair River.

Incident Details – Final Voyage and Loss

On October 8, 1928, while underway near Port Lambton, Ontario, the SACHEM was the victim of a devastating fire. The blaze was reportedly started by an exploding oil stove onboard. Despite the crew’s efforts, the fire quickly spread beyond control due to the vessel’s wooden construction and the flammable materials onboard.

To prevent the vessel from sinking in open water and posing a navigational hazard, the crew successfully beached the SACHEM at Roberts Landing, a location on the Canadian side of the St. Clair River. However, the fire continued to rage, and the ship burned to a total loss. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, as the crew managed to escape safely.

Final Dispositions

Following the fire, the wreck of the SACHEM was abandoned at Roberts Landing. It was classified as a Total Loss, and there are no records of any significant salvage operations. Over time, the remains of the vessel likely deteriorated or were removed due to their proximity to an active waterway.

The vessel was officially declared abandoned, and her registry was likely closed shortly after the incident in late 1928.

Located By & Date Found

There are no known records of the SACHEM’s wreck being officially discovered or surveyed after her loss. Given that she was beached rather than sunk in deep water, it’s possible that remnants of her structure were visible for some time or later cleared to prevent navigational hazards in the busy St. Clair River.

Notices & Advisories

Wreck Location: Roberts Landing, near Port Lambton, Ontario. Navigational Hazards: None currently reported, though the site may have been a hazard shortly after the incident before the remains were dealt with.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Conclusion

The SACHEM, a wooden sandsucker built in 1889, served the Great Lakes for nearly four decades before meeting her tragic end due to a fire on October 8, 1928, near Port Lambton, Ontario. Despite the crew’s efforts to save her by beaching the vessel, the fire consumed the ship, resulting in a Total Loss. Owned by the Lockheart Transportation & Towing Company, the SACHEM played a critical role in the dredging industry, particularly after her Conversion in 1912. Her loss marked the end of a vessel that had been part of the transformative years of industrial maritime operations on the Great Lakes.