History of the Sidewheel Steamer City of Cleveland III

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Names: City of Cleveland (original), City of Cleveland III

•Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer

•Year Built: 1907

•Builder: Detroit Shipbuilding, Wyandotte, Michigan

•Dimensions:

•Length: 118.9 meters (390 feet)

•Beam: 16.5 meters (54 feet)

•Depth: 7 meters (23 feet)

•Gross Tonnage: 4,568 tons

•Net Tonnage: 2,403 tons

•Hull Material: Steel

•Last Registered Port: Cleveland, Ohio

•Wreck Location: Off Harbor Beach, Michigan, Lake Huron

•Depth: Surface collision; vessel dismantled post-accident.

•Current Condition: Scrapped between 1954 and 1956.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Cleveland III was a steel-hulled Sidewheel Steamer, a prominent class of Passenger Vessels on the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. These steamers, with their side-mounted paddle wheels, were symbols of elegance and utility, offering vital transportation links and leisure cruises across the region. The City of Cleveland III was among the most significant of its kind, capable of carrying a substantial number of passengers and cargo.

HISTORY

Launched in 1907 as the City of Cleveland by Detroit Shipbuilding in Wyandotte, Michigan, the vessel was later renamed City of Cleveland III to reflect its standing as a hallmark of Great Lakes transportation. Measuring 390 feet in length and boasting a Gross Tonnage of 4,568 tons, the Steamer provided a vital link in the transportation network of the Great Lakes, serving routes between major port cities.

Collision Incident (1950)

On June 25, 1950, the City of Cleveland III collided with the Norwegian Steamer Ravnefjell in dense fog near Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The collision struck the Sidewheel Steamer on its port paddle wheel, resulting in catastrophic damage. Tragically, three passengers lost their lives, and one was presumed drowned. Another 20 passengers sustained injuries, making it one of the most harrowing incidents in the vessel’s career.

The collision occurred under challenging conditions, with the City of Cleveland III traveling at high speed despite being six miles off course in heavy fog. Rescue efforts were carried out by the crew of both vessels and the Coast Guard, successfully saving passengers who were thrown into the water during the impact.

Despite the vessel’s structural damage being primarily above the waterline, the City of Cleveland III was declared a constructive Total Loss. This designation indicated that repairs were not financially viable, and the vessel’s operational life effectively ended with the collision.

FINAL DISPOSITION

After the accident, efforts were made to convert the City of Cleveland III into a towbarge. During the dismantling process, a fire broke out, further compromising the vessel’s structural integrity. These compounding events sealed the fate of the once-proud Sidewheel Steamer, and it was ultimately scrapped between 1954 and 1956.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the City of Cleveland III. The site of the collision is a historical location rather than a navigational hazard, as the vessel was dismantled and scrapped.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University Archives: Bowling Green State University

CONCLUSION

The tragic fate of the City of Cleveland III underscores the hazards of maritime navigation in dense fog, particularly on the busy routes of the Great Lakes. The vessel, which began its life as a proud Sidewheel Steamer, met an unfortunate end due to a navigational error that resulted in a fatal collision. The story of the City of Cleveland III serves as a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes transportation, marking the end of an era for these grand steamers.

KEYWORDS

• City of Cleveland III
• Sidewheel Steamer
• Lake Huron collision
• Harbor Beach Michigan
• Great Lakes maritime history
• 20th-century Steamship

GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO

The City of Cleveland III collided with the Ravnefjell off Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The vessel did not sink but was declared a constructive Total Loss and subsequently dismantled. No specific wreck site coordinates are applicable as the remains were scrapped.