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.
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.
Identification & Construction
- Built: 1887 at Saugatuck, MI; master carpenter John B. Martel
- Type: Wood‑hulled propeller steamer, single‑decked with one mast
- Propulsion: Single 18″ × 20″ high‑pressure steam engine (270 hp @ 140 rpm) by Bloeker Works, Grand Haven (1887); single fire‑box boiler (7′ × 12′ at 100 psi) by Johnston Brothers, Ferrysburg
- Dimensions: 110′ L × 22.2′ beam × 8.6′ depth; 159.54 gross tons, 108.9 net tons
Ownership & Service Record
- 1887–1892: Owned by W.B. Griffen et al, Saugatuck; ran passenger and freight between Grand Haven and Chicago
- 1888: Briefly owned by Sands & Maxwell Lumber Co., Pentwater, MI
- 1892: Rebuilt in Grand Haven (two decks, one mast); tonnage updated to 228.79 GT/147.84 NT; owner Wallace B. Griffen et al., Saugatuck
- 1904–1909: Ownership shifted to John F. Henry (Saugatuck), then Nesson Transportation Co. (Manistee), chartered to routes including Milwaukee and Green Bay
- 1910: Sold to Pelee & Lake Erie Nav Co, Ontario; renamed ALFRED CLARKE, Canadian registry C126193—served passenger routes in southwestern Ontario
- 1914: Enrolled Marquette, then Detroit; under owners McCauley & Cleary (Escanaba); renamed SAUGATUCK again
- 1919–1924: Owned by Phil Kegel & Joseph Wagner; converted into an excursion steamer docking at Chicago’s municipal pier & Lincoln Park; rebuilt in 1924
Final Disposition
- 1929: Crew abandoned her, moored in North Branch, Chicago River
- July 7, 1931: Documents surrendered in Chicago; vessel officially abandoned and scuttled in Lake Michigan after two years’ idle in the river (ferrycabinnews.blogspot.com)
Wreck Site & Condition
- Rests submerged off Chicago in Lake Michigan, likely near where she was towed for sinking
- Depth, orientation, and condition not well-documented—no confirmed dive surveys or hull mapping reported
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- One of the few late‑19th/early‑20th‑century wooden propeller steamers repurposed multiple times—as passenger boat, freight carrier, excursion steamer, and finally scuttled hull
- The lifecycle illustrates adaptation to evolving economic and recreational uses on the Great Lakes
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Research Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wreck Location & Survey | Sonar or side-scan needed off Chicago River mouth to locate the hull |
| Archival Documentation | Coast Guard, city salvage, or municipal harbor records may detail scuttling coordinates and permissions |
| Condition Assessment | A remote-operated vehicle (ROV) survey could evaluate the hull’s current state |
| Crew & Company Files | Excursion manifests, crew lists, and operational records may be held in Chicago City Archives or Michigan maritime logs |
Summary
The Saugatuck had a dynamic 44-year career: as Alfred Clarke she served Canadian routes before re-entering U.S. Great Lakes service as Saugatuck, offering passenger excursions into the 1920s. After abandonment during the Depression, her hull was scuttled in July 1931. Today her remains lie somewhere in Lake Michigan, awaiting discovery and documentation.
saugatuck-ex-alred-clarke-us-116149 1931-07-07 14:37:00