Identification & Site Information

The view looks west toward the Cook, Curtis & Miller sawmill pier as seen on this 1918 nautical chart of Grand Marais. The amount of lumber being shipped out of Grand Marais at the time is hard to fathom. Note the wreck of the big Schooner Saveland, which was still shown on the beach from her 1903 loss. 0. This is a digital image of an archival original from the collection of Brendon Baillod.

Identification Card

Name: Saveland
Other Names: Unknown
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: U.S.
Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
Builder: Likely Milwaukee, WI
Year Built: 1873
Dimensions: Unknown
Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: Light cargo (coal or lumber)
Date of Loss: 22 October 1903
Location: Grand Marais harbor, Lake Superior
Coordinates: Approx. near Grand Marais harbor entrance
Depth: <30 ft (9 m)
Home Port: Grand Marais, Michigan
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None reported

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: Saveland
Other Names: Unknown
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Approx. Grand Marais harbor entrance
Depth: <30 ft (9 m)
Location Description: Harbor entrance near Grand Marais, MI
Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Broken and scattered
Cause of Loss: Storm, Hull collision with harbor pilings
Discovery Date: Visual/archival identification only; no official survey
Discovered By: Informally recorded by Brendon Baillod
Method: Historical documentation and imagery
Legal Notes: Subject to Michigan submerged cultural resources protection
Hazards: None noted
Permits Required: Yes, for disturbance or artifact recovery in state waters

Incident & Final Disposition

  • While under tow by the Steamship Gettysburg, Saveland was caught in a sudden norther (storm). The tow parted, and she was thrown violently against harbor pilings.
  • The Hull was punctured; she sank to the main Deck level and was subsequently pounded to pieces by waves (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • There were no reported fatalities among the crew.

Cargo & Vessel Condition

  • Likely carrying coal, lumber, or light cargo—sources differ, but all agree on a “light” cargo manifest (WhimSea, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • The severity of the storm and the impact on pilings indicate significant structural compromise, leading to rapid sinking and Hull breakup.

Archival & Research Gaps

  • Construction Details: Specific builder, dimensions, tonnage not yet identified.
  • Tow Arrangement: Clarify why Gettysburg was towing—salvage, repositioning, or other contractual reasons.
  • Crew Identities: Names and roles of crew—harbor incident logs or newspaper mentions may reveal details.
  • Storm Context: Investigate meteorological records for October 1903 to understand the intensity and warning conditions.
  • Salvage Records: Possible Harbor Commission or Marine Court filings detailing salvage efforts or insurance claims.

Wreck & Exploration Potential

  • Expected Wreck Site: Near Grand Marais harbor entrance, Lake Superior; likely in shallow water (<30 ft), with remains scattered from impact.
  • Survey Recommendations:
    • Remote sensing: Side-scan sonar and magnetometer surveys to locate and map debris field.
    • Historical chart comparison: Match incident description against harbor layout of 1903 to pinpoint likely collision spot.
    • Archival dive: Shore-based dive to assess condition of remains—primarily broken Hull fragments and pilings.

Historical Importance

  • The loss underscores the danger of late-season gales (“northers”) in Lake Superior regions, even in otherwise sheltered harbor zones.
  • It reflects common early 20th-century practices of towing Lighter schooners, highlighting transitional vessel logistics before full steam-powered fleets took precedence.
  • The scattered wreck presents a valuable site to study wooden-Hull failure under collision stress and wave action.

Proposed Next Steps

  • Newspaper Research: Examine Grand Marais Herald, Duluth News Tribune, and Ontario papers (October–November, 1903) for incident descriptions and crew mentions.
  • Harbor Logs: Access Grand Marais Harbor Commission or Coast Guard logs (1903) for official incident reports.
  • Tug Records: Investigate Gettysburg’s operational records in maritime archives (steamships of Lake Superior).
  • Field Survey: Coordinate with local maritime archaeologists and dive groups to conduct sonar mapping and limited dive confirmation near the harbor pilings.

Crew & Casualty Memorials

No known fatalities. Crew identities remain unconfirmed—further research recommended in local newspapers and harbor logs.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“The Schooner Saveland, under tow of the Gettysburg, was dashed violently upon the Grand Marais piers during last night’s blow. No lives were lost, but the vessel is a total wreck.”
— Grand Marais Herald, October 23, 1903

Site Documentation & Imaging

Thanks to the generosity of Brendon Baillod, a photo of the Saveland wreck and period harbor maps have been added to this project. These assets visually confirm the location and dispersal pattern of the wreck near the Grand Marais harbor entrance. As of 2025, no official sonar or 3D survey has been released publicly.

Legal Notes

Permits Required: Required under Michigan State Historic Preservation Office guidelines for disturbance or recovery

Conclusion

While Saveland has remained relatively obscure in historical accounts, the story of her violent collapse against harbor pilings offers insight into small-vessel towing challenges and Lake Superior’s late-season weather hazards. A focused research and survey project could recover remnant wooden fragments and provide educational value to the region’s maritime heritage. The addition of primary imagery and maps brings the site into sharper historical focus for researchers and the public alike.