Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: Berlin City

• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer

• Year Built: 1856

• Builder: Phelps, Ruddock & Co., Berlin, Wisconsin

• Dimensions:

• Length: 100 feet (30.48 meters)

• Tonnage: 74 tons (Old Measurement System)

• Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire on November 24, 1870, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

• Homeport: Mackinac (1856–1858)

• Primary Use: Passenger and freight transport on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago

Vessel Type Description

The Berlin City was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, a vessel powered by paddle wheels located on either side of its Hull. Designed for operation on the interconnected waterways of the Great Lakes and inland rivers, the Steamer was well-suited to transporting passengers and freight. Sidewheel steamers of this type were commonly constructed from wood and featured two decks for handling cargo and passengers, with steam propulsion offering a relatively fast and reliable means of travel during the 19th century.

History

Construction and Early Operations

Launched in 1856 by Phelps, Ruddock & Co., the Berlin City began operations from Mackinac, serving the transportation needs of the bustling Great Lakes region. By the late 1850s, it transitioned to routes on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago, providing critical connectivity for towns and industries in Wisconsin.

Notable Incidents

1. July 2, 1857 – Tragic Steamboat Race Incident

The Berlin City was involved in a competitive race with the Steamer Pearl on Lake Winnebago. The Pearl’s boiler exploded during the race, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals. While the Berlin City was not directly damaged in the event, the incident underscores the dangers of the era’s competitive and often unsafe Steamboat practices.

2. July 8, 1861 – Stranding Incident

The Berlin City stranded on the Fox River in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Details of the event are limited, but it likely required repairs and interrupted the vessel’s operations.

3. November 24, 1870 – Final Disaster

The Berlin City was destroyed by fire in Oshkosh while docked on the Fox River. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it resulted in the complete loss of the vessel. At the time, it was owned by Morse & Paige of Oshkosh. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported in this incident, though it marked the end of the Berlin City’s service.

Final Disposition

The Berlin City was completely destroyed by fire in Oshkosh on November 24, 1870. The wooden vessel, likely fueled by its construction materials and steam-related components, was consumed entirely, leaving no recoverable remnants. There are no records of reconstruction or salvage following the incident.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Current Status: The Berlin City wreck does not pose a navigational hazard and is not the subject of any active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs).

• Wreck Remains: The remains were not preserved, and no documented wreck site exists.

Located By & Date

• The wreck was destroyed in the fire of 1870 and was not preserved or formally located afterward.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Link

• Wisconsin’s Shipwrecks Database: Link

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive historical records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Analysis

The Berlin City highlights the dynamic but perilous nature of 19th-century Steamship operations in the Great Lakes and inland waterways. From its competitive race incident in 1857 to its fiery destruction in 1870, the vessel’s history encapsulates the risks of steam-powered travel and the challenges of maintaining wooden vessels in the rapidly industrializing era.

The Berlin City’s story also underscores the critical role of such vessels in connecting communities and supporting regional economies. Its operations on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago illustrate the importance of maritime routes in Wisconsin’s development during the 19th century.

Keywords

• Berlin City Steamer

• Sidewheel Steamer

• Lake Winnebago Shipwreck

• Fox River Navigation

• 19th Century Steamships

• Oshkosh Fire Incident

• Morse & Paige Ownership

• Great Lakes Maritime History

• Steamboat Racing Tragedies

The Berlin City represents a significant chapter in Wisconsin’s maritime history, demonstrating the importance of Steamship technology in shaping the economic and social landscape of the region during a transformative period in American history.