The Mighty Sagamore: A Remarkable Whaleback Barge
The Sagamore, a magnificent example of a whaleback barge, graced the waters of the Great Lakes with its imposing presence. Among the limited fleet of only 44 whalebacks ever built, the Sagamore stood as a unique and awe-inspiring vessel. Tragically, out of the 26 that met their end, only 8 met their fate in the Great Lakes, most of them deliberately sunk to clear shipping channels. The Sagamore’s untimely demise occurred in 1901 when it collided with the steel steamer Northern Queen amidst one of Whitefish Bay’s notorious fogs, leading to the loss of three crew members.
Built in 1892 by the American Steel Barge Company, the Sagamore was an impressive 1,601 gross ton steamer barge, stretching 308 feet in length, with a beam of 38 feet and a draft of 24 feet. Its registry was in Marquette, Michigan, and it eventually came under the ownership of the Huron Barge Company, managed by Pickands, Mather and Company of Ashtabula, Ohio. Typically, the Sagamore was towed by its consort, the whaleback steamer Pathfinder. The Sagamore was known for its exceptional capabilities, once unloading a record 3,200 tons of iron ore in just 8 hours at Ashtabula in 1893.
However, fate dealt a cruel hand to the Sagamore on July 29, 1901. Anchored near Iroquois Point with its consort, the Pathfinder, waiting for the thick fog to lift, the Sagamore found itself on a collision course with the steel steamer Northern Queen, which emerged unexpectedly through the fog. Unable to see the Sagamore, the Northern Queen struck the barge, causing it to rapidly fill with water and sink. The tragic collision claimed the lives of three crew members, including Captain E. Joiner, the cook, and a sailor.
Despite its tragic end, the wreck of the Sagamore remains an impressive sight. Discovered in 1962 by explorers Jack Brosco and Robert McCormick, the barge lies mostly intact and upright on a gravel bottom, 45 to 65 feet underwater. A treasure trove for shipwreck historians, the Sagamore boasts triple tow rings on its bow, wide open hatches for easy access, and inviting ambient lighting for divers exploring its hull.
Unfortunately, over the years, the Sagamore’s wreck has been stripped of many artifacts. Efforts to preserve its historical value led to the recovery of several items, which are now property of the State of Michigan, displayed on loan at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
As part of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, the Sagamore’s wreck remains protected, forming a vital component of an underwater museum. Divers exploring this captivating site are urged to respect preservation laws, leaving only bubbles and capturing the spirit of this once-mighty whaleback barge in photographs and memories. The Sagamore’s legacy endures, reminding us of the intrepid spirit and maritime history that graces the Great Lakes.
