Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Saugatuck
- Type: Wood-hulled propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: John B. Martel, Saugatuck, MI
- Dimensions: 110 ft (33.53 m) × 22.2 ft; Depth of hold: 8.6 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 159.54 gross tons, 108.9 net tons
- Location: Lake Michigan, near Chicago
- Official Number: US 116149
- Original Owners: Various, including W.B. Griffen et al., Nesson Transportation Co., Pelee & Lake Erie Nav Co.
- Number of Masts: One mast
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wood-hulled propeller steamer, single-decked with one mast.
Description
The Saugatuck was built in 1887 and featured a single 18″ × 20″ high-pressure steam engine, providing 270 horsepower. It was originally designed for passenger and freight service between Grand Haven and Chicago.
History
Throughout its service, the Saugatuck changed ownership multiple times and underwent significant modifications, including a rebuild in 1892 that updated its tonnage. It served various routes, including passenger services in southwestern Ontario under the name Alfred Clarke, before returning to U.S. waters.
Significant Incidents
- 1929: Crew abandoned the vessel while moored in the North Branch of the Chicago River.
- July 7, 1931: Officially abandoned and scuttled in Lake Michigan after two years of idleness.
Final Disposition
The Saugatuck was scuttled in Lake Michigan after being abandoned. Its exact resting place remains uncertain, with no confirmed dive surveys or hull mapping reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is submerged off Chicago in Lake Michigan, likely near the location where it was towed for sinking. The depth, orientation, and condition of the wreck are not well-documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”saugatuck-ex-alred-clarke-us-116149″ title=”References & Links”]
The Saugatuck had a dynamic 44-year career, transitioning from a passenger vessel to an excursion steamer before its scuttling in 1931. Today, its remains lie somewhere in Lake Michigan, awaiting discovery and documentation.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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