On this day December 3, 1922, the wooden steamer OGEMAW was on its way up the St. Clair River near Tashmoo Park when fire broke out near the engine room. As it was 2 in the morning, several of the crew were still asleep. The fire whistle was blown. All fought the fast spreading fire but it was uncontrollable. Captain T. W. Manuel and the crew took to the lifeboats. All 13 survived. The OGEMAW was a total loss.
Photo at top of page: OGEMAW dated 1918
December 3rd was not a good day for the OGEMAW. In 1891, on this day, she foundered off Burnt Bluff in Green Bay. Her crew were lucky then as well and all were rescued. The OGEMAW had left Escanaba at day break with barges TILDEN and MAXWELL in tow. She sprang a leak between Peninsular Point and Poverty Passage. Heavy seas and high winds kept her from reaching shelter at St. Martin’s Island. Her pumps were working hard but her fires went out before she could reach Fayette Island. Her barges tried to tow her but she sank. The crew boarded the MAXWELL. Capt. Pringle of the OGEMAW stated that when she went down, the compressed air threw her decks and cabins high in the air. She was considered a total loss.
In August 1893, nearly two years later, the OGEMAW was raised with pontoons by the Murphy Wrecking Company and repaired. She continued to sail until 1922.
The OGEMAW was built in 1881 at St. Clair, Michigan by Simon Langell. She was built for the lumber trade and was 167 feet long with a 30 foot beam.
Suzette Lopez
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
