H. W. Sage (Schooner), U95414, collision, 30 Jul 1900

As a result of a collision opposite Algonac at an early hour this morning the barge SAGE lies at the bottom of the river near the channel bank with the body of an unidentified deckhand in her forecastle. The QUEEN OF THE WEST, bound for Chicago was towing the SAGE when the CHICAGO crashed into the SAGE sending her to the bottom. The SAGE apparently took a sheer after the rudder chains parted but the story is unclear at this point. The towbarge SAGE is owned by John Kilderhouse of Buffalo and is 203 x 35 with a net tonnage of 805. The QUEEN OF THE WEST is owned by J.T. Hutchinson of Cleveland and was built in 1881; 215 x 32 and 625 net tonnage.
      Port Huron Daily Times
      Saturday, July 28, 1900


      Detroit, July 30. - A collision at Russell's Island, Opposite Algonac, early this morning, sent the schooner SAGE to the bottom, and an unknown deckhand, who was asleep in the forecastle, was drowned like a rat in a trap.
      The steamer QUEEN OF THE WEST, up bound, was towing the SAGE. Suddenly the steamer CHICAGO, bound down, and the SAGE came together. It is said that the CHICAGO's wheel chains parted.
The unknown deckhand is said to have come from Manitowoc. Ed. Hines, of Cadillac, had one arm broken. Capt. Dubeau, of Cadillac, sailed the QUEEN. Capt. Laughlin, the SAGE, and Eli Robertjohn, of Detroit, was steering the schooner at the time. The SAGE will not interfere with navigation, lying close to the channel bank. She is 203 feet long, of 805 tons net, was built at Bangor, Me., in 1875, and belongs to John Kelderhouse, of Buffalo.
      Saginaw Courier-Herald
      July 31, 1900

      . . . . .

SAGE A TOTAL LOSS. -- Capt. George McLeod has inspected the wreck of the schooner SAGE, which was sunk in collision with the steamer CHICAGO on Monday night at Harsen's Island, and reports her a probable total loss. The SAGE was owned jointly by John Kelderhouse, the Maytham estate and her master, Capt. John Laughlin, and was valued at $15,000. Capt. Laughlin's interest was insured for $3,600 with Smith, Davis & Co. Kelderhouse and the Maythams had no insurance. The SAGE's cargo consisted of 1,500 tons of soft coal.
      Marine News
      August 4, 1900
     
     
     
      IF HE RAISES THE SAGE.
      McMorran Will Get $5,000 On The "No Cure No Pay Plan.
      Will The Craft Be Worth The Cost Of Raising And Repair.
It is understood McMorran is to get $5,000 for raising the schooner SAGE, sunk near the head of Harsen's Island, and that he will work on the "No Cure, No Pay" plan. He has already begun the job and the result will be watched with considerable interest by marine men, as Capt George McLeod, inspector for the Underwriters, has declared that the schooner is practically a total loss - that the cost of raising and repairing her would amount to more than her value.
Another feature of the disaster is the question of liability and damage. Some time before the opening of navigation the schooner was chartered to bring down ore from the head of the lakes at the $1:25 rate and carry coal up to the same territory at fifty cents. She had completed about one half of these contracts when the collision with the CHICAGO occurred, and had she not been stopped, she could have cleaned up $6,000 on the remainder. This amount must be made good in some manner. Should the wrecking and repairing job be quickly accomplished she can still earn a part of that amount. In the inevitable lawsuit, it is a certainty that her owners will make any loss she suffers on the contract a part of their claim against the Western Transit Line, owners of the CHICAGO.
      Detroit Free Press
      August 12, 1900
      . . . . .
     
The schooner H. W. SAGE, sunk near Algonac in a collision with the steamer CHICAGO, has been raised by the McMorran Wrecking Company, of Port Huron, sufficiently to tow her to Port Huron for repairs. her cago of coal was not lightered, but was raised with the vessel. The bow of the SAGE was split from nose to keel, leaving a hole nearly three feet wide.
      Detroit Free Press
      September 4, 1900
     
     
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St. Clair, Mich., September 14. -- The schooner H. W. SAGE, which was sunk at the head of Russel Island by the steamer CHICAGO about six weeks ago, stopped here this evening on her way to drydock at Port Huron, in tow of the wrecker MARY GROH. Temporary repairs have been made to her port bow, which was ripped open for thirty feet back.
      Detroit Free Press
      September 14, 1900
     
     
     
      Schooner H.W. SAGE. U. S. No. 95414. Of 848 tons gross; 805 tons net. Built Bangor, Mich., 1875. Home port, Buffalo, N.Y. 203.0 x 35.6 x 13.0
      Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1900