1892 – Aug 30, freight Western Reserve sinks, Lake Superior storm off Sable Banks ~Deer Park MI-26

— 31 Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News, Report News (Sep). “Today in Great Lakes Hist.”
— 31 Mansfield, John Brandts. History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). 1899, p. 760.
— 27 Buffalo Enquirer, NY. “A Lost Steamer,” 9-2-1892; reproduced in McNeil, MH of GL.
— 26 Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. 9-2-1892, p. 7, col. 5. (One survivor of 27 onboard.)
— 26 Hillsdale Standard, MI. “A Lake Horror.” 9-6-1892, p. 3, col. 2. (One survivor of 27.)
— 26 Logansport Daily Reporter. “But One is Left,” September 2, 1892, p. 1.
— 26 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 690.
— 26 Port Huron Daily Times, MI. 9-2-1892; reproduced by McNeil in Maritime Hist. of the GL.
— 26 Swayze. Shipwreck!…Directory of…Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.., 1992, p. 245.
— 26 Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Wayne State University Press, 2004, p. 221.
–17 Drowned from wooden lifeboat as it neared the shore and was capsized (1 survivor)
— 9 Drowned from steel lifeboat capsized shortly after launch from port side.
— 26 Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “One Reached Land.” 9-3-1892, p. 2, col. 3.
— 25 Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals (Revised). 1969, p. 253.*
— 21 McNeil. “Western Reserve (Propeller)…sunk, 30 Aug 1892.” Maritime History…Great Lakes.*

*McNeil: Reproduces a three-column article from the Buffalo Enquirer of 9-2-1892 which notes there was one survivor (wheelsman Harry Stewart), from a complement of 22 crew, as well as “passengers Capt. Peter Minch, her owner, his wife, three children and his wife’s sister…” Since one of the crew survived, there would have been a loss of 21 of the crew (according to this account) plus six passengers, for a total of 27.)

*Ratigan: Our number based on Ratigan statement that when the Reserve went down the two yawls “were cast off adrift from the wreck, carrying all twenty of the officers and crew as well as the owner, the two women, and the three children.” This totals twenty-six, and there was but one survivor.

Narrative Information

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News: “September 1, 1892 [sic], the upbound Western Reserve, flagship of the Kinsman fleet, sank approximately 60 miles above Whitefish Point. There were 31 casualties among the crew and passengers. The lone survivor was Wheelsman Harry W. Stewart.” (Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News, Report News (Sep 1). “Today in Great Lakes Hist.”)

Mansfield: 1892. Western Reserve Goes Down. – On Tuesday, August 30, the new steel steamer Western Reserve, 2,392 tons burden, commanded by Capt. Albert Meyer, bound from Cleveland to Two Harbors, foundered during a fierce gale on Lake Superior, about 60 miles above Whitefish Point, resulting in the drowning of six passengers and a crew of 25, Harry W. Stewart, wheelsman, of Algonac, being the sole survivor. The Western Reserve had sheltered behind Whitefish Point for a time, but finally, feeling confident of her ability to reach her destination in safety, the captain headed her into the lake, and all went well until about 9 P.M., when she was about 60 miles above the point, when the first warning of impending danger was a terrible crash, caused by the steamer breaking in two, the main mast going by the board, and weakening at other points well forward. She shipped water fast from the start, and the yawl boats were lowered. Capt. P. G. Minch, owner, with his family, and the officers and crew of the steamer to the number of seventeen, got into the wooden boat, the others taking to the metallic yawl. A few moments later the great steel hull sank in deep water, but before she had disappeared the metallic lifeboat capsized.

“The other boat went to the assistance of those struggling in the water, but only succeeded in rescuing two of the unfortunates, Captain Meyer’s son Carl, and the steward. The 19 survivors now in the yawl headed for Whitefish Point, 60 miles away. The wind was northeast when they started, but veered to the north, making considerable sea. The small boat weathered it, however, until 7 o’clock Wednesday morning when, about ten miles from Lifesaving Station No. 12, and about a mile from shore, it capsized, and all lost their lives except Mr. Stewart. The captain’s son Carl bore up for a time, but, becoming exhausted, gave up the struggle, and Mr. Stewart, who was a strong swimmer, reached the shore alone, tem miles from the life-saving station, where he lay unconscious for a time. He then walked and crawled to the station and reported the calamity. Captain Minch was accompanied on this disastrous voyage by his wife and two children, and his wife’s sister, with her daughter. W. H. Seaman, the chief engineer, was a son-in-law of George Eddy, a former manager of the old Northern Transportation Line at Ogdensburg, N. Y. The bodies of Captain Minch and his sister-in-law were recovered.” (Mansfield, John Brandts (Ed. and Compiler). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899, p. 760.)

Ratigan: “….On Sunday, August 28…the two-year-old all-steel ore carrier Western Reserve sailed out of Cleveland on what was meant to be a pleasure trip combined with the ultimate business of picking up a cargo of iron ore at Two Harbors, Minnesota….

“The Western Reserve…was locked up through the soon Canal at six o’clock Tuesday evening [Aug 30].

“Out on Whitefish Bay the waves began to kick up and, although the wind was moderately fresh for Lake Superior, the two captains decided to take no chances with their precious cargo of human lives. They would stop a while and consider the weather….The engines were stopped and the anchor was run down in a cove on Whitefish Bay, but the wind showed no signs of increasing nor did the waves reach alarming proportions….they hoisted anchor and steamed out into the open Lake.

“At nine o’clock that night [Aug 30], sixty miles above Whitefish Point, the Western Reserve ran into a gale. Almost without warning a crash signaled the steel carrier’s doom. A crack appeared on her deck, forward of the boiler house. The main mast went by the board. The crack in the deck widened. There was an agonizing wrench of metal and the ship broke in two.

“Inside of ten minutes the pride of the Lakes plunged six hundred feet to the bottom of Superior…” (pp. 252-253.)

Swayze: “Western Reserve. Steel bulk freight steamer of 2,392 t. and 302 ftu., launched in 1890 at Cleveland. Lake Superior: This vessel was the first steel freighter built for use on the Lakes. When she came out steelmen and her builders confidently predicted that her construction would put an end to disasters caused by hull failure. The vessel proved their point for only a bare two years. On August 30, 1892, the Western Reserve was in ballast and pushing her way through a summer gale when she suddenly simply broke in two and sank off Deer Park, Michigan. There was little evidence to indicate what had happened to the ship in a relatively mild gale that would explain such a complete hull failure, and there was only one eyewitness left out of the 27 aboard the steamer at the time of her foundering. The furor surrounding the tragic loss of the Western Reserve brought on a new set of rules regarding the testing of steel as to tensile strength and flexibility.” (Swayze. Shipwreck! A…Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 245.)

Wolfe: “On the morning of August 31…the Great Lakes shipbuilding world received a terrific shock. A patrolling lifesaver came upon exhausted Wheelsman Harry Stewart of the steel steamer Western Reserve crawling on the beach near the Deer Park Life-Saving Station. Stewart gasped out a story of bitter tragedy on arrival at the station. The magnificent new bulk carrier had cracked in two about 35 miles northwest of Deer Park, off the Au Sable Banks, going down in 10 minutes, about 9 p, m. the previous evening [Aug 30]. Wile a well trained crew had launched two lifeboats and placed all 21 crewmen and six passengers in them, both had capsized in moderately rough seas. All except Wheelsman Stewart were drowned. The Western Reserve was less than two years old. She already held cargo records for wheat and iron ore. She was a product of the Globe Shipbuilding Company of Cleveland, launched October 20, 1890, at 301 feet in length and of 2,392 gross tons. Her owner, Captain Peter G. Minch of Cleveland, was delighted with her performance. Indeed, so highly did Captain Minch rate this vessel that he, his wife, two children and two relatives had joined the crew for the run to Two Harbors where they would load ore. Her top officers were veterans: Captain Albert Myers and Chief Engineer W. H. Seaman….” (Wolff, Julius F., Jr. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Complete Reference to Maritime Accidents and Disasters. 1990, p. 66.)

Newspaper

Sep 2: “DEATH IN ANGRY WATERS. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Sept. 2. — The large freight steamer Western Reserve has been lost off Sable banks, near Deer Park [MI], and of the twenty-seven persons on board only one has been saved. Six of them were passengers, one of the latter being Peter Minch, of Cleveland, O., the owner, who recently became a millionaire. The other passengers were the wife, son and daughter of Capt. Minch and Mrs. Mary Engleberry and her daughter Bertha and her daughter of Vermillion.

“On the previous trip of the Western Reserve its crew consisted of twenty-two men. No new men were taken on in Cleveland at the shipping office for this trip, so it is likely that most of the old crew were on board when the vessel went down.

“Split Asunder.

“The Western Reserve, bound from Cleveland to Two Harbors, passed Sault Ste. Marie Tuesday evening [Aug 30]. Although a heavy wind was blowing from the northwest the steamer paid no attention to it and plunged into the tremendous waves running. No sooner had it passed out of the protection of Point Iroquois than it begun to pound violently in the sea, the gale continuing to increase in force. When on the course from Whitefish point to Keweenaw point the heavy steel structure parted without warning about amidships. The water poured into the hold, and the crew and passengers saw that their boat was doomed.

“Took to the Boats.

“The crew managed to get both yawl boats down, but not without much difficulty. It was new work for them, for this was the first time the yawls had ever been lowered. In the one yawl were placed Capt. Peter. Minch, his wife, three children and his wife’s sister. The rest of the crew who were not in the first yawl manned the second one, and they pulled away from the Western Reserve, which sank ten minutes afterward. The yawl containing Mr. Minch and his family soon afterward capsized, and the remaining boat took on board all the survivors.

“The Load Proved Too Heavy.

“It was a heavy load for the yawl boat. The wind had steadily increased and the waves were tremendous. When within a mile from shore it, too, capsized, and all were thrown into the water. Of the twenty-seven only one, Henry Stewart, of Algonac, Mich., reached the shore. Stewart walked 13 miles to the nearest life-saving station, where he gave notice of the disaster.

“Three Bodies Recovered.

“The life-savers there began to patrol the beach and Thursday morning found two bodies. One of them was identified as that of Capt. Minch by his watch. The other was that of a dark-haired woman. Thursday night a telephone message to Newberry stated that another body had come ashore.

“Story of the Only Survivor.

“Never was a jollier party on board a steamer than on the Western Reserve when it passed through the canal Tuesday night. Capt. Minch and his three children stood upon the bridge, and all were in the best of spirits. When the news reached here that the Western Reserve had gone down in 600 feet of water the report was generally discredited. It could no longer be doubted when Henry Stewart, the only survivor, reached here Thursday night on the fish tug E. M. B. A. Mr. Stewart said:

“Everything- went well until about 60 miles above Whitefish point when the first warning anyone on board had of impending danger was a terrible crash about 9 a.m., caused by the huge craft breaking in two breaking the mainmast about half-way up the rigging. She took in water fast from the start, and the yawl boats were forward. Capt. Minch, his family and the officers and crew, to the number of seventeen, got into the wooden yawl and the others took to the metallic one.”

“Sunk In Ten Minutes.

“The Reserve sunk in tin minutes and before she had hardly gone out of sight the metallic yawl capsized. The other went to her assistance, but only succeeded in rescuing two of her occupants, Capt. Minch’s son and the steward. The nineteen survivors started for Whitefish, 60 miles away. The wind was about west when they started, but veered to the north, making considerable sea. But the yawl weathered the breakers all night and until about 7 the next morning, when about 10 miles from lire-saving station No. 10 and about a mile from the shore, it capsized.”

“Stewart says that he saw none of the occupants after that. He struck for the shore, but the cries of the children, screams of the women and moaning of men were terrible for a few moments. Stewart was in the water two hours. He struck shore about 12 miles above the station and had to walk there before reaching anyone to render him assistance. A search failed to find trace of any other survivor of the wreck, and there is no question that they were all drowned.

“The Lost Vessel.

“The Western Reserve was built by the Cleveland Shipbuilding Company and launched October 20, 1890. She was owned by the B. G. Minch estate and others of this city and was valued at $220,000 in Lloyd’s Inland Register. The Western Reserve was 900 feet long and 41 feet beam. She was considered a thoroughly stanch and seaworthy boat.

“Capt. Minch was one of the best-known vessel owners and masters on the lakes. He was about 55 years old. He was born at Vermillion. His father, Philip Minch, was one of the most extensive owners of vessel property in his time. Capt. Minch sailed from his boyhood until about five years ago when he came ashore to manage his large vessel interests…” (Logansport Daily Reporter. “But One is Left,” September 2, 1892, p. 1.)

Sep 3: “One Reached Land.”
“The Lake Steamer Western Reserve Breaks in Two on Lake Superior.”
“Twenty-seven Persons on Board, Including the Vessel Owner and His Family.”
“Of This Number Only One Survives to Tell the Story of the Disaster.”

“Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Sept. 8. – The steamer Western Reserve foundered sixty miles off Whitefish Point about 9 p.m. Tuesday night [Aug 30]. She passed the Soo Tuesday and a heavy gale prevailed but she did not mind it and plunged ahead. When about sixty miles off Whitefish Point the sea was terribly rough and suddenly, without a moment’s warning, the great steel structure broke in two amidships….

“The following persons were on board when the fated vessel went down:

Captain Peter Minch, the owner, with his wife and two children, Charles and Florence; Mrs. Mary Engleberry and Bertha Engleberry [daughter ], of Vermillion. The crew consisted of Albert Myers, of Vermillion, captain; W. H. Leaman [Seaman?] of Cleveland, chief engineer; Fred Engals, first mate; Charles Lebeau, second mate; Charles Wells, assistant engineer; Burt Smith, steward; Ray Applebee, steward; Schuyler Stewart, watchman; Daniel Forbes, lookout; Carly Myers, wheelsman, son of the captain; John Satchon, fireman; S. D. Holdev, fireman; Horace Burroughs, fireman; Martin Klauser, greaser; Robert Simpson, greaser; Daniel Stickney, R. A. Longfield, M. Coffee and John Wilson, deck hands.

“Captain Peter Minch, the owner of the Western Reserve, retired five years ago and settled down in Cleveland to manage his large vessel interests. The present trip was intended as a pleasure trip for himself and family and several friends….” (Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “One Reached Land.” 9-3-1892, p. 2, col. 3.)

Sep 4: “Eighteen Bodies Recovered.”
Awful Echo of the Recent Disaster on Lake Michigan.”

“Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., September 4. – The steamer City of Green Bay arrived here from Deer Park last night. Her Captain reports that eighteen bodies from the wrecked steamer Western Reserve have been recovered at Deer Park. The steam barge Nimick picked up a body in mid-lake, abreast of Deer Park, and brought it in here.” (Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, OH. “Eighteen Bodies Recovered.” 9-5-1892, p. 3, col. 3.)

Sources

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, NY. 9-2-1892, p. 7, col. 5. Accessed 2-8-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brooklyn-daily-eagle-sep-02-1892-p-7/

Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, OH. “Eighteen Bodies Recovered.” 9-5-1892, p. 3, col. 3. Accessed 2-8-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cincinnati-commercial-gazette-sep-05-1892-p-3/

Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping News Archive. Report News. “Today in Great Lakes History – September 1.” Accessed 2-8-2021 at: http://www.boatnerd.com/news/archive/9-09.htm

Hillsdale Standard, MI. “A Lake Horror.” 9-6-1892, p. 3, col. 2. Accessed 2-8-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hillsdale-standard-sep-06-1892-p-3/

Logansport Daily Reporter, IN. “But One is Left.” 9-2-1892, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=83769523

Mansfield, John Brandts (Ed. and Compiler). History of the Great Lakes (Vol. 1). Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1899. Google digitized. Accessed at: http://books.google.com/books?id=iHXhAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=&f=false

McNeil, William R. “Western Reserve (Propeller) U81294, sunk, 30 Aug 1892.” Maritime History of the Great Lakes. Accessed 2-8-2021 at: https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/60191/data?n=1

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals (New Revised and Enlarged Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1969.

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.

Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 2004.

Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “One Reached Land.” 9-3-1892, p. 2, col. 3. Accessed 2-8-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waterloo-daily-courier-sep-03-1892-p-2/

Wolff, Julius F., Jr. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Complete Reference to Maritime Accidents and Disasters. Duluth, MN: Lake Superior Port Cities, Inc., 1990.