Shipwreck Report: Water Witch

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Water Witch

•Vessel Type: Propeller

•Year Built: 1861

•Builder: Newport, Michigan

•Tonnage: Approximately 500 tons

•Home Port: Detroit, Michigan

•Owner: E.B. Ward of Detroit

•Wreck Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

•Date of Sinking: October 1863

•Coordinates: Not definitively located

•Depth: Believed to have sunk bow first; depth unknown

Vessel Type Description

The Water Witch was a technologically advanced vessel for its time, featuring an experimental cog-wheel engine paired with a walking-beam working athwartships. This design enhanced its speed and efficiency, making it a key player in connecting Chicago and Goderich via the Grand Trunk Railway. Its wooden Hull and mid-19th century propeller technology typified the cutting-edge designs of Great Lakes vessels during this period.

History

Launched in 1861, the Water Witch quickly became a vital link for cargo and passengers navigating the busy Chicago-Goderich shipping route. Owned by prominent Detroit businessman E.B. Ward, the vessel was celebrated for its speed and reliability, earning a reputation as one of the more innovative ships on the Great Lakes.

However, in October 1863, tragedy struck. Caught in a severe gale while traversing Saginaw Bay, the vessel’s experimental engine reportedly failed, leaving it unable to navigate the turbulent waters. Despite its strong construction, the Water Witch was overcome by the storm and sank.

All 20 crew members aboard were lost. The propeller Meteor searched the area for survivors, but no bodies or wreckage were recovered. The disaster remains one of the more mysterious and tragic events in the history of Lake Huron navigation.

Final Disposition

The Water Witch is believed to have sunk bow first, contributing to the absence of significant wreckage or remains on the surface. The exact location of the wreck has never been determined, and the ship’s final resting place continues to elude modern technology and researchers.

Located By & Date

The wreck has not been definitively located. Numerous efforts over the years to identify its final resting place in Saginaw Bay have been unsuccessful. The elusive nature of the wreck underscores its mystique and historical significance.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently issued for the site due to its undetermined location.

•Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in Saginaw Bay, particularly during storms, given the region’s historical hazards.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records and archival details of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Promotes exploration and preservation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The loss of the Water Witch in 1863 remains a tragic and enigmatic event in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history. Its innovative design, operational significance, and the complete loss of crew highlight the dangers of 19th-century navigation on the Great Lakes. Efforts to locate the wreck may one day reveal more about the vessel’s story and the circumstances of its demise, but for now, the Water Witchcontinues to rest beneath the waters of Saginaw Bay, a poignant reminder of the perils faced by mariners.

Keywords

•Water Witch propeller

•Saginaw Bay shipwreck

•Lake Huron maritime history

•Great Lakes tragedy

•Foundered vessel

•19th-century shipwreck

GPS Coordinates & Additional Info

Despite decades of research, the exact location of the Water Witch remains unknown. Modern survey methods and technology could hold the key to solving this mystery in the future. For now, the wreck continues to evade discovery, leaving its legacy shrouded in the waters of Lake Huron.