CITY OF BUFFALO: A Maritime Legacy Marred by Tragedy

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: City of Buffalo

•Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer (later converted to Propeller Freighter)

•Built: 1857 by Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 100.9 meters (331 feet)

•Beam: 12.2 meters (40 feet)

•Depth: 4.7 meters (15.6 feet)

•Tonnage: 2,026 tons

•Home Port: Detroit, Michigan

•Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie

•Primary Use: Passenger and freight transportation (converted to a cargo freighter)

•Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire on July 30, 1866, at Sturgis Elevator, Buffalo Harbor.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Buffalo was initially a Sidewheel Steamer, a common vessel type in the mid-19th century designed for passenger and freight transport. Sidewheel steamers featured large paddle wheels on each side of the Hull for propulsion, making them both iconic and efficient for the time.

In 1863-1864, the vessel underwent a significant transformation, becoming a propeller freighter. This Conversion reflected the shift in maritime technology toward Screw Propulsion, which offered greater reliability and efficiency. Despite its modernization, the City of Buffalo’s reputation as “the slowest steam-craft on the lakes” underscored the challenges of adapting older designs to new technologies.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

Built in 1857 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York, for the Michigan Southern Railway Company, the City of Buffalo was one of the largest and most capable vessels of its time. It provided critical passenger and freight services between major ports on Lake Erie, connecting industrial and agricultural centers.

Conversion to Propeller Freighter

In 1863-1864, the ship was converted to a propeller freighter by E.S. Prosser & Co. in Buffalo. This was part of an effort to modernize the vessel and make it more efficient for cargo operations. However, the Conversion did not meet expectations, and the vessel’s speed and performance suffered.

The Fire of 1866

On July 30, 1866, while docked at the Sturgis Elevator in Buffalo Harbor, the City of Buffalo was unloading a massive cargo of 72,000 bushels of oats when disaster struck. A fire erupted and quickly consumed the ship, elevator, and surrounding structures. The incident caused widespread damage:

•Ship Loss: The vessel, valued at $80,000, was a Total Loss.

•Surrounding Damage: Additional property losses totaled $240,000, a significant amount at the time.

•Cause: The fire was determined to be an act of arson, and the culprits were apprehended.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Buffalo was completely destroyed in the fire. With no possibility of salvage, the vessel’s remains were likely removed during the cleanup of Buffalo Harbor. The incident brought an end to the ship’s nearly decade-long service and remains a significant event in Great Lakes maritime history.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site. The site of the fire at Sturgis Elevator, Buffalo Harbor, has likely been developed or altered, erasing physical traces of the incident.

RESOURCES & LINKS

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

CONCLUSION

The City of Buffalo represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Great Lakes maritime technology and commerce. Its transition from a Sidewheel Steamer to a propeller freighter illustrates the challenges of adapting to new advancements. The vessel’s fiery demise in 1866 underscores the inherent risks of 19th-century maritime operations, from mechanical shortcomings to human malfeasance.

Though its physical presence has been lost, the story of the City of Buffalo endures as a reminder of the dynamic and often perilous history of Great Lakes navigation.

Keywords: City of Buffalo ship, Lake Erie Steamer, Buffalo Harbor fire, 19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes shipwreck, Bidwell & Banta.