Sauber, William F.

1891                                  William F. Sauber                                  1903

Wooden Great Lakes bulk freighter

Built at West Bay City MI by F. W. Wheeler & Co., Hull 78
Launched April 15, 1891

310’ LOA, 291’ LBP, 40’6” beam, 23’7” depth
2 decks, coal-fired boilers, triple expansion engine, 950 IHP

Enrolled at Port Huron MI March 31, 1891 (#99)
291.0 x 41.0 x 19.8, 2053.46 GT, 1708.01 NT     US 81317     to:
Mitchell Steamship Co., John Mitchell, Mgr., Cleveland OH (home port Fairport OH)

Entered service 1891

Permanent enrollment at Cleveland OH April 13, 1891 (#80)

Sold 1899 to W. H. Becker and Martin Mullen ½ each, Cleveland OH (home port to Cleveland OH)

Transferred 1900 to Inland Transportation Co., W. H. Becker, Mgr.

Foundered Oct 26, 1903 off Whitefish Point, Lake Superior.  Enroute from Ashland WI to Ashtabula OH with cargo of iron ore.  Seams opened in heavy storm and vessel sank.  Two lives lost (oiler and captain).  The captain’s arms were broken and he could not grab a lifeline and drowned.  He had refused the last seat in the lifeboat.  Balance of crew rescued by str. Yale.  Enrollment surrendered December 18, 1903.

See history in Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 310

 

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