Identification & Site Information

Incident & Sinking Circumstances

  • Tied to her dock during the spring ice breakup in the Saginaw River.
  • As the ice moved out, large floes crushed her Hull against the dock pilings, inflicting irreparable damage.
  • Officially declared “crushed beyond repair“—the Hull’s structural integrity compromised by ice.
  • A later newspaper reported her sinking was due to negligence: a crew member reportedly left a seacock open during spring maintenance, causing her to fill and sink (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Vessel History & Operations

  • Built to carry passengers and smaller general cargo, linking Saginaw with other ports on Lake Huron.
  • In her short service life, she proved vulnerable to seasonal river and ice hazards prevalent during spring freshets and breakup periods.

Archival & Research Gaps

  1. Construction Records: Yard and registration documentation from Saginaw (1852) may yield the official enrollment data.
  2. Crew List: Names and ranks of crew aboard at the time—enrollment records held at Port Huron or Detroit district archives.
  3. Dock Logs: Saginaw River dock or harbor master records from March 1853, detailing ice breakup and management.
  4. Press Coverage: March–April 1853 Michigan newspapers may include accident reports or seacock negligence allegations.
  5. Salvage Decision Records: Documents relating to Hull disposition—possibly in State marine agency or insurance claims.

Wreck & Exploration Potential

  • Location: Shallow Saginaw River waters, most likely submerged near original dock.
  • Extent of Wreckage: Given the sinking was due to Hull failure and the rapid decay in freshwater, only iron components—fasteners or machinery parts—may remain, likely buried under river sediment.
  • Survey Strategy:
    • Historical chart comparison: Identify original dock location.
    • Subsurface survey via magnetometer and side-scan sonar to identify metal debris field.
    • Diver inspection to verify presence and condition of remains, followed by documentation.

Historical Significance

  • General Scott serves as an early illustration of ice-related vessel hazards in riverine areas of the Great Lakes.
  • Her loss due to ice impact and possible crew negligence underscores the necessity for strict seasonal maintenance and operational procedures—contributing to evolving maritime safety standards.

Recommended Next Steps

  1. Request enrollment and service records from the National Archives (Detroit Customs District, 1852–1853).
  2. Locate Michigan newspaper articles (e.g., Saginaw Courier, Detroit Free Press) from March–April 1853.
  3. Retrieve river harbor logs detailing spring ice conditions and dock operations.
  4. Commission a remote-sensing survey near the believed wreck site to assess any remaining structural or metal components.