Return to Ships of John Gregory
This three masted schooner was built by John Gregory during August, 1872 in Sheboygan, WI. At 173 feet, the Higgie & Jones (US No. 18746) was one of the larger schooners to sail the Great Lakes, and weighed over 400 tons. She was considered a fast boat as in 1873 she made the round trip from Chicago and Buffalo in 13 days. The original owner was William Higgie. The Higgie and Jones was renamed Higgie on 9 March, 1882
Capt. Ledden of the schooner Higgie sent telegrams announcing that the Higgie was ashore and in bad shape in Lion’s Head Bay, Lake Huron in November 1885. She left Collingwood, Ontario bound for Alpena, MI, and had not proceeded too far when she struck a hidden rock. By the use of the anchor and her sails she was backed off without trouble, but it was discovered that she was leaking badly, with her keel split from stem to foremast. She was headed for Owen Sound, but making so much water that it was found necessary to run her ashore at Cabat’s Head. Two tugs sighted the Higgie and released her and started with her in tow for Owen Sound, but got as far only as Lion’s Head Bay when she began to sink. In order to save her she was again run ashore.
Higgie at Thunder Bay River, Alpena, MI, 1885
The owner, El. E. Ayer petitioned the Treasury Department for permission to change the name to George Sturges (after 1887, US No. 95193) in 1889. She has had $13,000 expended on her.
The 4,748 ton passenger steamer William E. Reis (US No. 81688), ran into the George Sturges on 25 May 1906.
On October 3, 1908 vessel was abandoned at Magdalen Islands, Gulf of St. Lawrence. Nine persons on board, no lives lost.
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