IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: City of Buffalo

• Original Vessel Type: Propeller Canal Boat

• Converted Vessel Type: Barkentine (Three-Masted Sailing Vessel)

• Year Built: 1861

• Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio

• Dimensions (as a Canal Boat):

• Length: 91 feet (27.7 meters)

• Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters)

• Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

• Tonnage: 128 tons

• Dimensions (as a Barkentine):

• Length: 143.8 feet (43.8 meters)

• Beam: 30.2 feet (9.2 meters)

• Depth: 11.4 feet (3.5 meters)

• Tonnage: 455 tons

• Final Location: Sand Beach, Michigan, Lake Huron

• Cargo at Loss: Iron Ore

• Wreck Location: Blown up in 1877 to clear the channel

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Buffalo began its service as a propeller canal boat, designed for the narrow and shallow waterways of the Great Lakes’ connected canals. Its compact design made it well-suited for carrying freight through these confined spaces. Later, it was converted into a Barkentine, a three-masted vessel used in the grain trade. Barkentines, combining square-rigged sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigging on the others, were ideal for long-distance trade, capable of handling heavy cargoes such as iron ore.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The City of Buffalo was built in 1861 in Cleveland, Ohio, by the shipbuilding firm Peck & Masters. Initially constructed as a canal boat, the vessel served as a vital link in the transportation network of the Great Lakes, moving goods efficiently through the canal system. In response to evolving trade demands, the ship was converted into a Barkentine, enhancing its ability to carry bulk cargo across open water.

Incidents and Mishaps

The vessel had an eventful operational history, encountering several accidents:

• 1870: Grounded on Drummond Island, Lake Huron, and collided with the Northern Belle off Old Mackinaw.

• May 1871: Ran aground twice near Cove Island, Lake Huron.

Despite these mishaps, the City of Buffalo remained in service, adapting to the challenges of the Great Lakes’ dynamic and often treacherous conditions.

Final Voyage and Sinking

On September 13, 1875, the City of Buffalo encountered a powerful storm off the piers at Sand Beach, Michigan, while carrying a cargo of iron ore. During the storm, the ship struck a rock in the St. Mary’s River before navigating much of Lake Huron in the gale. Ultimately, the vessel beached and sank near Sand Beach.

The Tug Magnet made extensive efforts to salvage the ship, working tirelessly to free the stranded vessel. However, the relentless weather conditions and damage to the City of Buffalo proved too severe, and the ship went to pieces on September 19, 1875. Remarkably, there were no casualties reported, demonstrating the crew’s resilience and effective response during the disaster.

Disposition of the Wreck

In 1877, the remains of the City of Buffalo were blown up to clear the navigational channel at Sand Beach. This marked the final chapter in the vessel’s operational life and its contributions to the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

SIGNIFICANCE

The City of Buffalo serves as an example of the adaptability required in 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Beginning as a canal boat and later converted to a Barkentine, it reflects the evolution of maritime transport as ships were modified to meet changing trade demands. The vessel’s repeated accidents underscore the hazards faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather and navigational challenges often led to tragedy.

Despite its eventual loss, the City of Buffalo contributed to the economic development of the Great Lakes region by facilitating trade and transportation. Its story is emblematic of the grit and determination of sailors and shipowners during a pivotal period in maritime history.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Final Loss: September 19, 1875

• Location: Sand Beach, Michigan, Lake Huron

• Wreck Status: Destroyed in 1877 to clear the channel

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to the wreck of the City of Buffalo, as the remains were removed over a century ago.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive accounts of vessels like the City of Buffalo.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival data and historical context for shipwrecks.

• Lake Huron Wrecks: Exploration of the history and significance of lost vessels in Lake Huron.

CONCLUSION

The City of Buffalo was a versatile vessel that adapted to the changing needs of maritime trade on the Great Lakes. From its construction as a canal boat to its Conversion into a Barkentine, the ship represents a dynamic period in maritime history. Although it ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature, its legacy endures as a testament to the resilience and innovation of 19th-century shipbuilding and navigation.

Keywords: City of Buffalo, Lake Huron shipwreck, Barkentine, iron ore cargo, Great Lakes maritime history, Sand Beach Michigan, 19th-century shipping, vessel adaptation.

External Links

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