The propeller WATER WITCH met a tragic fate in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, on Lake Huron in October 1863. The vessel, owned by E.B. Ward of Detroit, operated on the Chicago and Goderich route, connecting with the Grand Trunk. Unfortunately, it foundered during a severe gale, leading to the loss of all hands on board.
The WATER WITCH was a remarkable propeller, known for its speed and sturdy construction. Built in 1861 at Newport, Michigan, the vessel had a tonnage of approximately 500 tons and was equipped with an experimental cog-wheel engine and a walking-beam working athwartships. Despite its swift running capabilities, the propeller’s machinery may have become disarranged during the gale, leading to its unmanageability.
The disaster left the fate of the crew uncertain, and it was feared that all crew members went down with the sinking ship. The propeller METEOR attempted to search for survivors, but their efforts were in vain, and no one from the WATER WITCH was found.
Over the years, the wreck of the WATER WITCH remained elusive, making it difficult to determine the exact location of its sinking. It was believed that the vessel went down bow first, which contributed to the absence of crew members’ bodies being recovered.
The final record indicates that the WATER WITCH, a propeller of 369 tons gross, was built in 1862. Its first home port was Detroit, Michigan. The vessel’s disposition is listed as “Foundered October 1863 in Saginaw Bay, Mich., with the loss of 20 lives.”
The sinking of the WATER WITCH was a tragic event in maritime history, leaving behind a legacy of loss and uncertainty surrounding the fate of its crew.
