Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

A large, wooden bulk Steamer built for heavy iron-ore traffic. She played a significant role in early Great Lakes ore transport routes between Ashland, Wisconsin, and Lake Erie ports.

Description

William F. Sauber was constructed in 1891 in West Bay City, Michigan. She featured classic wooden Steamer architecture with a single-screw propeller and spacious cargo holds, tailored for bulk ore shipments.

History of Loss

On 26 October 1903, while downbound from Ashland, WI, loaded with iron ore and battling a fierce Lake Superior storm, her Hull failed. She sank rapidly approximately 30 miles northwest of Whitefish Point. Some crew were swept off her decks, injured or trapped as she went down (greatlakesvesselhistory.com). The steel Steamer Yale, captained by Jackson, conducted a dramatic rescue in “appalling conditions,” saving all but two — the skipper (Captain W.E. Morris) and an oiler — who drowned. The captain reportedly broke both arms and refused the last seat in a lifeboat (greatlakesvesselhistory.com).

Final Dispositio

The vessel sank intact after her Hull seams gave way under a storm’s weight and stress, emphasizing the vulnerabilities of wooden ore carriers in severe weather. Only a few bodies were recovered; most of the crew survived thanks to the heroic response by Yale’s crew .

Located By & Date Found

No formal dive survey or archaeological site is currently known. However, the well-documented sinking location near Whitefish Point may assist future deep-water explorations.

Notations & Advisorie

No navigational hazard is charted from the sinking due to the deep water and location. Her loss remains significant for its human dimension, not navigational impact.

Conclusion

The sinking of William F. Sauber on 26 October 1903 tragically highlights the risks of wooden bulk freight steamers amid late-season storms on Lake Superior. Despite the majestic size and cargo load, structural failure led to a catastrophic but largely survivable sinking. The rescue by Yale under extreme conditions is celebrated in Great Lakes maritime lore, and her loss underscores the human cost behind ore transport during that era.

Suggested Keywords: William F. Sauber, wooden ore Steamer, Hull failure, Whitefish Point drowning, Yale rescue
Suggested Categories:

  • Great Lakes shipwrecks
  • Lake Superior freight losses
  • Wooden Steamer disasters
  • Rescue & human survival stories