Wiliam A. Young

Date Built: 1883
Construction: Wood 3 mast cut down to 2.
Owners: Builders: D. Lester, Marine City, MI
Dimensions: 165x30x11, 435g 413n Cargo: Coal

Condition:

Location: 10 mi. off Presque Isle

Depth: 20-30 fathoms

Date of Loss: Abandoned 1911, Nov 17; Sunk Nov 19-20

 Lat/Lon: 45° /083°

Type of Loss: Abandoned in storm and foundered days latter.

Loran:

Loss of Life:

GPS:

Co-ordinates are informational only, they maybe inaccurate and should
NOT BE USED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES!
MIDDLE ISLAND LIFESAVER REPORT
While running up the lake from Huron Ohio to Marrinette, WI, in tow of steamer Isabelle J Boyce when 6 miles south of Middle Island it's tow line parted in South East gale and foremast breaking off letting schooner fall with trough of sea and rolling badly. Steamer unable to pick her up The steamer came to Middle Island and ??? called us ???, went out in surf boat when captain requested us to go to schooner and get crew saying the barge had ??? ??? to station and launched life boat, got out about half mile when engine became disabled, and had to return to station as it was ???possible to work down against the gale and terrific sea. A few minutes after our return to station the barge was reported drifting up the lake past the Island. Launched surf boat and went to steamer Boyce who towed us out near the barge which was deserted no one on board the crew having left in yawl boat. Captain wanted us to try and board barge and get anchor down, started to go aboard but could not get on. The steamer not stopping to help or stand by, but she headed for shelter as soon as they let go of us. As I could do nothing in big sea returned to station. Having to pull about 3 miles against sea and wind which took us nearly (two/ten) hours arriving at station 6 pm. The barge continued to drift before gale broad side to ?? trough of sea. At 8pm I heard on telephone that crew of barge in yawl had landed at Nine Mile Point 4 1/2 miles south of station after a very rough trip and had left for Alpena. The Captain of Boyce wanted us to go with him in morning and look for barge. The gales continued shifting to North West snow squalls. The steamer did not wait for us but pulled up under False Presque Isle point 6 mile N.W. for shelter, and did not call for us Nov 19th The steamer left for Alpena 3am and at 10am called us and said ?? ?????? not leave to look for boat until Monday morning 20th where ????? call the crew out at Thunder Bay Island, it's barge having drifted down lake before NW gale, The boat was sighted adrift 10 miles East of Presque Isle Light noon of 19th. The barge also lost part of foremast. Nov 21 reported that the str Boyce and Thunder Bay Isle crew found wreckage yesterday which could indicate that barge had sunk.

THUNDER BAY ISLAND LIFESAVER REPORT
Morning of November 19th, Captain of the steamer Isabella J. Boyce informed me his abandoned barge William A. Young had been sighted about 10 miles East of Presque Isle and seemed to be making good weather of it. Requested me to go with him the following morning and make an effort to save her. Also requested me to lay oout on the chart her drift for 48 hours. We left 6 A.M. Nov. 20th going out 48 miles in the lake where we sighted some wreckage which convinced every one she had gone down. We covered over one hundred miles in our search for her. Crew was in life boat 12 hours.

John Persons

Sources: Swayze; Sobczak;