Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: East Saginaw
- Type: Wooden schooner–barge
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 46 m / 150 ft
- Location: Off Sand Beach (now Harbor Beach), Michigan
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: F. W. Gilchrist, Alpena, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The East Saginaw was a wooden schooner–barge—a towed, non-propelled cargo vessel—common on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century, used for transporting bulk goods under tow of larger steamers.
Description
Approximately mid-sized, wooden-hulled, lacking its own propulsion. Designed primarily for carrying cargo while under tow. Specific dimensions not documented in available sources.
History
Constructed in 1866 (likely in Michigan) for use in the booming lumber and cargo transport trades of the Great Lakes. Registered to F. W. Gilchrist out of Alpena. On 24 September 1883, the East Saginaw, under tow and attempting to enter the newly developed harbor of refuge at Sand Beach (later Harbor Beach), struck a reef south of the breakwater during a storm. Steering damage prevented her from navigating, and she subsequently drifted and foundered in approximately 25 fathoms (≈ 46 m / 150 ft) of water.
Significant Incidents
- On 24 September 1883, the East Saginaw struck a reef during a storm, leading to her sinking.
- All crew members were rescued by the steamer Conemaugh.
Final Disposition
The vessel sank in deep water and was declared a total loss. Her wooden hull likely lies intact or partially fragmented on the lakebed, in about 25 fathoms (46 m) of water—potentially a candidate for deep technical diving or sonar survey operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal survey or GPS-based site location has been published. No modern identification expedition recorded; wreck remains unnamed underwater.
- No navigational hazard warnings are currently charted at the sinking site.
- Located in deep water well offshore, it poses no known navigation risk.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”east-saginaw-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The East Saginaw, built roughly in 1866, succumbed to storm conditions and steering damage on 24 September 1883 off Sand Beach, Michigan. After striking a reef south of the breakwater, she sank in about 46 m (150 ft) of water. The crew escaped, and the wreck remains unlocated—offering potential for historical or technical-diving interest in two dozen fathoms of Lake Huron.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: EAST SAGINAW
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Vessel Type: Wooden schooner–barge
- Built: 1866 (inferred from sources) (linkstothepast.com, sanctuaries.noaa.gov)
- Owners: F. W. Gilchrist, Alpena, Michigan (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Captain: Harry Richardson (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Date of Loss: 24 September 1883 (shipwreckworld.com)
- Location Lost: Off Sand Beach (now Harbor Beach), Michigan—struck reef south of the breakwater (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Cargo/Passengers: Barge in tow; specific cargo not noted
- Casualties: None reported —crew rescued by the steamer Conemaugh (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel Type
The East Saginaw was a wooden schooner–barge—a towed, non‑propelled cargo vessel—common on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century, used for transporting bulk goods under tow of larger steamers.
Description
Approximately mid‑sized, wooden‑hulled, lacking its own propulsion. Designed primarily for carrying cargo while under tow. Specific dimensions not documented in available sources.
History
Constructed in 1866 (likely in Michigan) for use in the booming lumber and cargo transport trades of the Great Lakes. Registered to F. W. Gilchrist out of Alpena. On 24 September 1883, the East Saginaw, under tow and attempting to enter the newly developed harbor of refuge at Sand Beach (later Harbor Beach), struck a reef south of the breakwater during a storm. Steering damage prevented her from navigating, and she subsequently drifted and foundered in approximately 25 fathoms (≈ 46 m / 150 ft) of water (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Disposition
The vessel sank in deep water and was declared a total loss. Her wooden hull likely lies intact or partially fragmented on the lakebed, in about 25 fathoms (46 m) of water—potentially a candidate for deep technical diving or sonar survey operations.
Located By & Date Found
No formal survey or GPS-based site location has been published. No modern identification expedition recorded; wreck remains unnamed underwater.
Notations & Advisories
- No navigational hazard warnings are currently charted at the sinking site.
- Located in deep water well offshore, it poses no known navigation risk.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry (“E – East Saginaw”) detailing loss and rescue (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Historical dredging of refuge harbor at Sand Beach (Harbor Beach) by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (npshistory.com)
Conclusion
The East Saginaw, built roughly in 1866, succumbed to storm conditions and steering damage on 24 September 1883 off Sand Beach, Michigan. After striking a reef south of the breakwater, she sank in about 46 m (150 ft) of water. The crew escaped, and the wreck remains unlocated—offering potential for historical or technical-diving interest in two dozen fathoms of Lake Huron.
Suggested Next Steps
- Coordinate with Michigan’s Underwater Preserve or NOAA Thunder Bay Sanctuary for potential wreck site inclusion.
- Seek archival harbor dredging and construction logs from Harbor Beach circa 1883 to refine location.
- Plan exploratory sonar survey or technical dive expedition in 40–50 m depth range.