Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANN ARBOR #1
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 106974
• Type at Loss: Propeller car Ferry, wood-hulled, 24-car capacity
• Date Built and Launched: 1892
• Builder: Craig Shipbuilding, Toledo, Ohio (Hull #55)
• Measurements: 260 ft (79.2 m) length, 53 ft (16.2 m) beam, 15 ft (4.6 m) depth; 1,128 gross tons, 564 net tons
• Date Lost: March 7, 1910
• Place of Loss: 4 miles off Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Propeller Car Ferry (24-car capacity)

Description

The ANN ARBOR #1 was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven car Ferry designed to transport rail cars across Lake Michigan. With a capacity of 24 rail cars, the vessel played a critical role in the burgeoning rail-Ferry industry of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Ferry’s robust dimensions and design were optimized to handle the challenging ice conditions and heavy freight loads typical of Lake Michigan crossings.

History

Built in 1892 by Craig Shipbuilding in Toledo, Ohio, the ANN ARBOR #1 was the first car Ferry operated by the Ann Arbor Railroad, marking the company’s entry into the Great Lakes Ferry trade. This service provided a vital link between the rail networks on either side of Lake Michigan, reducing the time and cost associated with overland transport around the southern end of the lake.

In February 1910, the ANN ARBOR #1 became trapped in ice approximately 4 miles off Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The vessel remained immobilized for several weeks as efforts to free her were hampered by the thick winter ice. On March 7, 1910, while still trapped, the Ferry caught fire under mysterious circumstances. The fire quickly spread, consuming the wooden superstructure and reducing the vessel to the waterline. Despite the severity of the blaze, no lives were lost, and the crew managed to escape safely.

The Ferry was declared a Total Loss by the Ann Arbor Railroad, but her story did not end there. The Hull was later recovered and Rebuilt as a sand Barge, reflecting a common practice of re-purposing damaged vessels for less demanding uses. This transition marked the end of the ANN ARBOR #1‘s role in the car Ferry industry but ensured her continued service on the lakes in a different capacity.

Final Disposition

Burned to the waterline while trapped in ice off Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1910. The Hull was later recovered and Rebuilt as a sand Barge, despite being declared a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—the Hull was recovered shortly after the fire for repurposing; no separate wreck location exists.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ANN ARBOR #1 incident off Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Manitowoc Maritime Museum

Conclusion

The ANN ARBOR #1 holds a significant place in Great Lakes maritime history as the first car Ferry of the Ann Arbor Railroad, pioneering a service that would become critical for freight transportation across Lake Michigan. Her destruction by fire in 1910, while trapped in ice, underscores the myriad dangers faced by vessels on the lakes, from harsh winter conditions to unpredictable mechanical failures or accidents. However, the recovery and repurposing of her Hull as a sand Barge reflect the resilience and practicality of Great Lakes maritime operations. The vessel’s story is emblematic of the evolving nature of transportation and industry in the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ANN ARBOR #1 car Ferry, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Manitowoc Wisconsin ship fire, Ann Arbor Railroad Ferry, Great Lakes car ferries, Craig Shipbuilding Toledo
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Car Ferries, Fire-Related Shipwrecks, Repurposed Vessels, 19th Century Wooden Ferries
• Glossary Terms:
• Car Ferry: A vessel designed to transport railroad cars across bodies of water, a common feature in Great Lakes transportation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Trapped in Ice: A condition where a vessel becomes immobilized due to the surrounding ice, a frequent hazard on the Great Lakes during winter.
• Sand Barge: A flat-bottomed vessel used to transport sand and other bulk materials, often created from repurposed ship hulls.