OGEMAW (Marker #11)

The tiles on this marker present an illustration of the steamer OGEMAW underway in the Great Lakes. Launched in St. Clair’s Pine River, this was the 15^th wooden ship built in the Langell Shipyard. The 167 ft. OGEMAW carried lumber to a variety of ports on the Great Lakes. In 1891 the boat sprang a leak in Big Bay de Noque and sank in 11 fathoms (66 feet) of water. The entire crew was rescued by nearby boats. The OGEMAW was declared a total loss but was raised and rebuilt in 1895, sailing for another 28 years until catching fire near Harsens Island (St. Clair River) and burning to a total loss on the way to lay up in Marine City, Michigan. Once again the entire crew was rescued.

Vessel Name: OGEMAW

Official Number: 155035

Rig: Propeller

Vessel Length: 167.58 feet

Vessel Width: 30.16 feet

Vessel Depth: 13.00 feet

Gross Tonnage: 625.18

Net Tonnage: 333.03

Hull Material: Wood

Builder: Simon Langell

Notes:                                 

1881 – June 18, enrollment issued at Port Huron, MI

1883 – April 13, owned Penoyer Bor., Oscoda, MI

1890 – March 14, owned Edward Smith, et al, Buffalo, N.Y.

1891 – December 3, sprung a leak on Big Bay de Noque, between Peninsula Point and Poverty Passage and sank. Decks and cabins blown off as vessel sank in 11 fathoms water, 1 ½ miles northwest of Burnt Buff. Crew rescued by consorts MAXWELL and TILDEN. Vessel removed from enrollment at Buffalo, N.Y. as total loss.

1894 – September 25, owned Michigan Wrecking & Salvage Co., Detroit, MI

1895 – raised & rebuilt, length 162.6’, width 30.0’, 11.4’ deep, gross tons 594, net tons 325, one deck, redocumented in Detroit, MI

1904 – April 26, owned E.B. Foss, Bay City, MI

1916 – June 9, owned Argo Steamship Co., Mentor, OH

1918 – April 13, owned J.C. Garey, Saginaw, MI

1922 – May 2, owned William Burns, Detroit, MI

1922 – December 3, burned to a total loss 1 ½ miles below Grand Point, near Harsens Island, St. Clair River. No lives lost. Was upbound light from Toledo, OH to lay up at Marine City.

Great Lakes Maritime Database and photo archives, Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. “Shipbuilding in St. Clair,” Research Binder, Ships File Cabinet, St. Clair Historical Museum and Research Center archives.