The SS Sagamore was a notable whaleback steamer barge constructed during the late 19th century, representing a distinctive design among Great Lakes vessels. Built by the American Steel Barge Company, her keel was laid on December 15, 1891, and she was launched on July 23, 1892, in Superior, Wisconsin. She measured approximately 308 feet (94 meters) in length, with a beam of 38 feet (12 meters) and a draft of 24 feet (7.3 meters). Her gross tonnage was 1,601 tons. The Sagamore was enrolled in Marquette, Michigan, and was primarily operated under the management of Pickands, Mather and Company, often towed by her consort, the whaleback steamer Pathfinder. The vessel was designed for iron ore transportation, and her operational record includes a notable achievement: in 1893, she unloaded a record 3,200 tons of iron ore in just eight hours at Ashtabula. The Sagamore's service was typical of Great Lakes bulk carriers, moving raw materials between ports like Duluth and Lake Erie. Tragically, her service ended on July 29, 1901, near Whitefish Bay. While anchored off Iroquois Point, she was caught in a dense fog alongside her tow, the Pathfinder. The steel steamer Northern Queen, navigating blindly through the fog, collided with the Sagamore on her starboard side, causing her to sink rapidly. The incident resulted in the loss of three crew members, including her captain, E. Joiner, the cook, and a sailor. The collision was a significant event in Great Lakes maritime history, underscoring the dangers of fog-bound navigation. Her wreck was discovered in 1962 at depths of 45 to 65 feet (14 to 20 meters) near the Soo Locks, lying upright on a gravel bottom and remarkably intact. The Sagamore is considered one of the best-preserved examples of a whaleback shipwreck, with features such as triple tow rings on her blunt bow and wide hatches for access. Over the years, artifacts from her wreck were illegally removed, but some items, including a sheave block and pocket watch, are now held by the State of Michigan and displayed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Today, the wreck is protected within the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, serving as an underwater museum and a popular diving site, emphasizing preservation laws and maritime heritage.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.