Identification & Site Information

• Name: SACRAMENTO
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 116682
• Date Built & Launched: 1895
• Builder: James Davidson Shipbuilding Co., West Bay City, Michigan (Hull #69)
• Original Owner: Likely a Great Lakes bulk freight company, specific early ownership records may vary
• Registration Number(s): 116682
• Measurements:  Length: 308 ft (93.88 m)  Beam: 43 ft (13.11 m) Depth: 21 ft (6.40 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 2,380 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1,911 tons
• Date Lost: May 15, 1917
• Final Location: Near Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, Lake Huron

Vessel Type

The SACRAMENTO was a large wooden-hulled, propeller-driven bulk freight steamer designed for Great Lakes service. She was typical of late 19th-century freighters built for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, grain, and iron ore across the Great Lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1895 by the James Davidson Shipbuilding Company in West Bay City, Michigan, the SACRAMENTO represented the peak of wooden shipbuilding on the Great Lakes. At over 300 feet in length, she was part of a class of large wooden freighters designed to compete with the emerging steel-hulled vessels of the time. The ship featured a single propeller powered by a steam engine, optimized for hauling large cargoes efficiently across Lake Huron and beyond.

The vessel underwent significant rebuilds in 1905 and again in 1918, likely to reinforce her structure and upgrade her mechanical systems as shipping demands and technologies evolved.

History

The SACRAMENTO had an active career transporting bulk freight across the Great Lakes, operating during a transitional period when wooden freighters were gradually being replaced by steel ships. Despite the competition, the SACRAMENTO continued to serve effectively, aided by periodic rebuilds to maintain her seaworthiness.

On May 15, 1917, while navigating near the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse on Lake Huron, the SACRAMENTO struck the reef. The area is notorious for hazardous shoals and shifting underwater topography, making navigation particularly challenging, especially during storms. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in the incident. The vessel sank in relatively shallow water and was initially considered a Total Loss due to the extensive damage.

However, reflecting the resilience of Great Lakes shipping practices, the SACRAMENTO was later recovered, repaired, and returned to service. The recovery of large wooden freighters after such incidents was not uncommon, as the cost of rebuilding could often be justified compared to the expense of commissioning a new vessel.

The ship continued operations until 1939, when she was finally Abandoned at the site of the Davidson Shipyard in West Bay City, Michigan. The remains of the SACRAMENTO still rest there today, serving as a relic of Great Lakes maritime history and a testament to the era of wooden freighters.

Final Disposition

• Incident: Struck Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron (May 15, 1917)
• Outcome: Sank but was later recovered and returned to service
• Final Status: Abandoned in 1939 at the Davidson Shipyard; remains still present at the site

Located By & Date Found

Status: The remains are located at the site of the former Davidson Shipyard in West Bay City, Michigan.

Discovery: No specific modern “discovery” as the ship was Abandoned intentionally and remains partially visible or documented in maritime records.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Port Austin Reef Area: The reef remains a well-known navigational hazard in Lake Huron, with active navigational aids provided by the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse. Mariners are advised to exercise caution in this area due to shallow waters and submerged hazards.

Davidson Shipyard Wreck Site: No current navigational hazards are reported, as the site is inland at the former shipyard location.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Port Austin Reef Lighthouse History

Conclusion

The SACRAMENTO’s history embodies the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes shipping during a period of significant technological transition. Built as one of the last large wooden freighters, she defied expectations by not only surviving a severe shipwreck but also returning to service after extensive repairs. Her final resting place at the Davidson Shipyard connects her story back to her origins, offering a tangible link to the legacy of wooden shipbuilding on the Great Lakes.