Identification & Site Information

• Name: SAGINAW
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 22372
• Date Built & Launched: 1862
• Builder: D. Lester, Newport, Michigan
• Original Owner: Likely Cleveland-based commercial interests, given her operation from that port
• Registration Number(s): 22372
• Measurements: Length: 138 ft (42.06 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Tonnage: 285 tons 378 tonnage (Old Style)

Vessel Type

The SAGINAW was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Designed for bulk cargo transportation, schooners like SAGINAW were integral to the early development of Great Lakes commerce, hauling a wide range of materials including lumber, grain, coal, and, in her final voyage, sulphur.

Description

Built in 1862 by D. Lester in Newport, Michigan, the SAGINAW was a moderately sized Schooner for her time, measuring 138 feet in length with a 26-foot beam and an 11-foot Draft. She was constructed from timber, the standard shipbuilding material of the era, and featured a typical Schooner rig with multiple masts designed to maximize sail efficiency while maintaining maneuverability, especially in the often challenging wind conditions of the Great Lakes.

Her tonnage was recorded as 285 tons, although under older measurement systems it was listed at 378 tons, reflecting changes in how vessel capacities were documented during the 19th century. Operating primarily out of Cleveland, Ohio, she served as a reliable cargo carrier during the height of Schooner activity on the lakes.

History

The SAGINAW had a service life marked by both routine freight operations and significant maritime incidents, common for vessels operating in the unpredictable environment of the Great Lakes.

1862: Launched in Newport, Michigan, and began service transporting bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes.

1873 Incident: In mid-October 1873, the Schooner was driven high onto a rocky bar near Black River, Ohio, during a storm. The large Detroit Tug CHAMPION attempted unsuccessfully to secure a line to pull her free, demonstrating the challenges of maritime salvage operations in rough conditions.

1874 Abandonment and Recovery: By May 1874, the vessel was stripped and Abandoned by the Tug MARGARET, indicating she was considered a Total Loss at the time. However, she was later recovered and repaired in the same year, reflecting the economic value of even heavily damaged vessels during this era.

Final Disposition

The SAGINAW met her final fate on November 28, 1875, when she was caught in a storm on Lake Erie while carrying a cargo of sulphur bound for Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel went ashore near Ashtabula, Ohio, and was reported as a Total Loss following the incident.

While no loss of life was mentioned in reports of the wreck, the grounding marked the end of the Schooner’s tumultuous career. Given the hazardous nature of Lake Erie’s weather, particularly in late autumn, many schooners of the time met similar fates due to sudden storms, shifting sandbars, and limited navigational aids.

Located By & Date Found

There are no specific records confirming the modern discovery of the SAGINAW’s wreck. If the remains still exist, they are likely buried under sediment near the Ashtabula shoreline or scattered due to subsequent storms and salvage attempts.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the SAGINAW wreck site near Ashtabula. However, mariners should always exercise caution in nearshore areas where submerged hazards may exist.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Historical Ashtabula Maritime Records

Conclusion

The SAGINAW’s history is emblematic of the rugged, risk-filled world of Great Lakes Schooner commerce in the mid-to-late 19th century. Despite surviving multiple groundings and even abandonment, she was ultimately claimed by the very forces of nature that defined her career. While her final resting place remains uncertain, her story is preserved through maritime records, contributing to the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping heritage.