Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: HUNTER SAVIDGE

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1879

•Builder: Unknown (Grand Haven, Michigan)

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 152 tons

•Net: 144 tons

•Owner: John Mullerweiss, Alpena, Michigan

•Final Location: Off Pointe aux Barques, Lake Huron

•Date of Loss: August 20, 1899

•Cause of Loss: Capsized during a squall

•Estimated Value of Loss: $3,000

Vessel Type Description

The HUNTER SAVIDGE was a wooden Schooner, a typical vessel for the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. With its capacity for carrying moderate-sized cargoes, the Schooner was ideally suited for transporting goods such as lumber and other materials vital to the industrial growth of the Great Lakes region. Schooners of this type were highly valued for their simplicity, efficiency, and adaptability to the unpredictable weather conditions on the lakes.

History

The HUNTER SAVIDGE was built in 1879 at Grand Haven, Michigan. Owned by John Mullerweiss of Alpena, Michigan, the Schooner was part of the vital transportation network that supported trade and development across the Great Lakes. Its Gross Tonnage of 152 tons placed it among the smaller schooners operating during its time, but its sturdy wooden construction allowed it to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes navigation for two decades.

The Schooner was engaged in routine voyages, primarily transporting goods between ports on Lake Huron. Its cargo, destination, and route during its final voyage underscore its role as a reliable vessel for its owners and the communities it served.

Final Voyage and Tragic End

On August 20, 1899, the HUNTER SAVIDGE was en route from Sarnia to Alpena when it encountered a sudden squall near Pointe aux Barques, Lake Huron. The violent storm capsized the vessel, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives. Despite its robust construction, the Schooner was no match for the sudden and severe weather that is a hallmark of the Great Lakes.

The wreck of the HUNTER SAVIDGE became a navigational hazard, with pieces of wreckage being discovered in the vicinity of Port Austin. This ongoing hazard highlighted the dangers posed by sunken vessels in the busy shipping lanes of Lake Huron.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: August 20, 1899

•Cause of Loss: Capsized in a squall

•Crew Casualties: Five lives lost

•Wreckage: The remains of the Schooner were scattered, with wreckage occasionally found near Port Austin.

The Schooner was declared a Total Loss, and its approximate value was reported at $3,000, a significant sum for the time.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories regarding the wreck of the HUNTER SAVIDGE are currently available. The wreck site, if located, would be of interest primarily to historians and maritime archaeologists.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Records of the HUNTER SAVIDGE and other vessels lost in the region.

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

3.Great Lakes Ships Database: Historical data and specifications for vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

Legacy

The loss of the HUNTER SAVIDGE serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of the Great Lakes. The Schooner, which faithfully served its owners and the communities along its routes, was one of many vessels that met a tragic end on these waters. Its story is a part of the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes, a testament to the courage and resilience of the men and women who navigated these inland seas.

Despite its loss over a century ago, the HUNTER SAVIDGE remains an enduring part of the historical narrative of Lake Huron, symbolizing the risks and challenges of Great Lakes navigation in the late 19th century.