Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Hunter Savidge OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: 95569 DATE OF LOSS: 20 August 1899 REASON: Storm LOCATION: Lake Huron, off Point aux Barques RIG TYPE: Schooner, 2 masted HULL TYPE: Wooden BUILDER: Duncan Robertson, Grand Haven, MI - 1879 OWNER(S): John Mullerweiss, Jr., Alpena, MI MASTER: Capt. Fred Sharpsteen (of Sebewaing) TONNAGE: 152 gt LENGTH: 117 ft BEAM: 26 ft DEPTH: 8 ft CASUALTIES: 5 SURVIVORS: 5 Owned by Cutler, Savidge & Co., prominent lumber dealers of Spring Lake, MI., until the spring of 1892 when she was sold to John Mullerweiss, Jr., of Alpena. 14 November 1892 - Rammed the old schooner MINNIE DAVIS about 1 -1/2 miles from Point Mowia Light, Lake Erie, sinking the DAVIS. In Admiralty the SAVIDGE was found at fault in the collision with a verdict of $2,500 damages. 20 August 1899 - Homeward bound to Alpena from Cleveland the HUNTER SAVIDGE found herself becalmed on Lake Huron. Without warning a white squall that came shrieking from nowhere to viscioulsy maul the schooner, throwing her over on her beam ends and driving her bow beneath waves. Those who weren't flung into the water were trapped in below deck in the cabin. The whole affair was witnessed from a distance by the upbound steamer MCVITTIE. Racing the scene the MCVITTIE plucked the survivors from the water but soon transferred them to the steamer H. E. RUNNELS which landed them at Harbor Beach. VICTIMS: Mary Fiebig Mullerweiss (wife of the owner) Henrietta Mullerweiss (daughter of the owner, age 6) Rosa Sharpsteen (wife of the captain) John Sharpsteen (age 16, crew member & son of the captain) Tom Duby (or Doby) (crew member, of Tawas, MI) ======================================================================== Sources: Donahue, "Schooners In Peril," p. 9-16 Boyer, "Strange Adventures of the Great Lakes," p. 60-66 Oleszewski, "Lighthouse Adventures," p. 108 Buffalo Enquirer, 15 November 1892 Marine Record, 17 May 1894 Blue Book of American Shipping, 1897 - p. 47 Port Huron Daily Times, 12 December 1899 Merchant Vessel List, 1899 The Argus Press, Owosso, MI - 14 November 1988 Obituary - Jacob F. Savidge, 2001