IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Newaygo was a steambarge built in 1890 at Marine City, Michigan, by Alex Anderson, who also served as the master carpenter. Constructed with a wooden hull, the Newaygo was designed for the robust demands of the Great Lakes’ iron ore and lumber trade. It featured a screw propulsion system powered by a fore-and-aft compound engine, which was manufactured by Frontier Engine Works. This engine had two cylinders, providing 685 horsepower at 80 revolutions per minute, making it a powerful vessel for its time. The vessel was equipped with a firebox boiler built by Love & Schofield in Port Huron, Michigan.
HISTORY #
The Newaygo was launched on July 17, 1890, and enrolled in Port Huron on August 5 of the same year. Initially owned by the Mills Transportation Co. of Marysville, Michigan, the Newaygo played a significant role in the transportation of lumber and iron ore across the Great Lakes. Over its operational life, the Newaygo was involved in various towing operations, frequently pulling barges such as the Checotah and Alex Anderson.
Throughout its service, the Newaygo experienced several incidents, including grounding on multiple occasions. In September 1892, it towed the J.D. Sawyer, and by May 1893, the vessel was transporting large lumber cargoes, including 800,000 board feet from Duluth to Bay City. In September of that year, the vessel required repairs after springing a leak in Duluth, Minnesota. The Newaygo also grounded in the Niagara River on August 30, 1895, and again on Strawberry Island on August 18, 1898, both times requiring assistance to be freed.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Newaygo’s final voyage occurred on November 16, 1903, when the vessel stranded on Devil’s Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, during a blizzard-gale. The vessel, which was towing the barge Checotah at the time, was carrying a cargo of coal. The Newaygo sank to a depth of 30 inches due to the harsh weather conditions and subsequent storms, and it was considered a total loss.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Newaygo is located near Devil’s Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, at a depth of 25 feet. The exact date of discovery is not specified, but the site remains a significant part of the maritime history of the area.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
The site is marked as a shipwreck and is considered dangerous to surface navigation. Mariners and divers should exercise caution when navigating or exploring the area to avoid potential hazards.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: http://www.baillod.com/shipwreck/swayze/
- Labbie Collection: https://greatlakeships.org/2907793/data?grd=4085
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/
CONCLUSION #
The Newaygo serves as a reminder of the challenging conditions faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. Despite its robust design and powerful engine, the vessel succumbed to the harsh weather of Lake Huron, joining the long list of shipwrecks in the region. Today, the wreck of the Newaygo lies in the waters near Tobermory, Ontario, attracting divers and historians interested in the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.
KEYWORDS #
Newaygo, Steambarge, Lake Huron, Shipwreck, Great Lakes History, Georgian Bay, Maritime Archaeology, Devil’s Island
