Shipwreck Report: Sidewheel Steamer Wave (1864–1874)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wave
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 26645
• Vessel Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer (Bulk Freight Carrier)
• Built: 1864, by Cornwall & Lester, Newport (Marine City), Michigan
• Home Port: Unknown (likely Michigan-based)
• Master at Time of Loss: Captain Donahue
• Specifications Length: 117 feet (35.7 meters) Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
• Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 153 tons
• Net Tonnage: 123 tons
• Propulsion: Sidewheel steam engine

Operational History

The Wave was built in 1864 as a wooden-hulled, Sidewheel Steamer designed for bulk freight transport. Her primary role was hauling logs and timber—a crucial industry in Michigan’s lumber boom during the mid-to-late 19th century.

Common Trade Routes

• Operated primarily in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay.
• Transported logs and lumber from Michigan’s forests to sawmills in Bay City, Saginaw, and Detroit.
• Possibly assisted in rafting operations, where logs were towed in floating bundles to mills.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: August 27, 1874
• Location: Off Charity Islands, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
• Cause: Fire and boiler explosion
• Cargo at Loss: Logs
• Loss of Life: None, but crew narrowly escaped

Incident Details

While rafting logs near Big Charity Island, the Wave caught fire from an unknown cause. The two crew members onboard attempted to abandon ship on a wooden plank. As they floated under the bow, the Steamer’s boiler exploded, blowing the vessel to pieces. The crew miraculously survived, likely rescued by nearby boats or floating wreckage.

Legacy and Significance – The Risks of Early Steam Power  Boiler explosions were a frequent cause of Steamboat disasters in the mid-19th century due to: Poor boiler maintenance. Overheating and pressure buildup. Lack of safety regulations.

Lumber Industry’s Heavy Reliance on Steamers –  The Wave was part of a fleet of steam-powered vessels that revolutionized lumber transport in Michigan. Her loss highlights the dangers faced by loggers and sailors working in this industry.

The Charity Islands as a Maritime Hazard  Located in Saginaw Bay, the Charity Islands were a common site of shipwrecks due to:  Shallow waters that posed grounding risks.  Harsh storms and unpredictable conditions. Frequent maritime activity tied to the lumber and fishing industries.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Off Big Charity Island, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
• Current Condition – The boiler explosion would have scattered debris across the lakebed.Some metal components (boiler, engine, sidewheel fittings) may still exist.
• Potential for Discovery
  • Sonar or magnetometer surveys may detect wreckage fragments.
  •  No known modern dive surveys or recovery efforts.

Further Research and Resources

• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association  https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Researches and maps shipwrecks in Lake Huron and Michigan waters.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Documents Great Lakes maritime disasters.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Holds records on 19th-century steamers and shipwrecks.
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Investigates and preserves Lake Huron shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The Wave (1864–1874) was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer used in Michigan’s booming lumber trade. She caught fire while rafting logs near Big Charity Island, and a boiler explosion destroyed the vessel. Though her crew narrowly escaped, the wreckage was scattered across Saginaw Bay. The Wave’s loss highlights the dangers of early steam power, as well as the hazards of Lake Huron’s timber transport industry.