IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: City of Dresden

• Vessel Type: Passenger Vessel (later classified as a Tug)

• Year Built: 1872

• Builder: Walkerville, Ontario

• Dimensions:

• Initial: Length: 93 feet (28.3 m), Beam: 23 feet (7 m), Depth: 9 feet (2.7 m)

• Post-1910 Rebuild: Length: 93 feet (28.3 m), Beam: 23.16 feet (7.1 m), Depth: 8.66 feet (2.6 m)

• Gross Tonnage:

• Initial: 193 tons

• Post-1910: 132 tons

• Registered Tonnage: 76 tons

• Canadian Official Number: 126197

• Owners:

• Initial: Wm. F. Colbe, Port Dover

• Final: Captain J. E. McQueen, Amherstberg

• Last Registered Port: Windsor, Ontario

• Wreck Location: Near Port Rowan, Ontario, on the south side of Long Point, Lake Erie

• Date of Loss: November 18, 1922

• Final Condition: Wrecked, Total Loss

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Dresden was originally built as a passenger vessel, serving routes between Detroit, Dresden, and Wallaceburg. Over its operational life, it was Rebuilt multiple times to adapt to changing needs. In later years, it transitioned from a passenger ship to a Tugboat primarily engaged in transporting goods, including illicit liquor during Prohibition.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The City of Dresden was launched in 1872 in Walkerville, Ontario. Built as a wooden-hulled propeller vessel, it was designed for passenger transportation and package freight. It served communities along Lake Erie and the Detroit River, linking Canadian and U.S. ports.

In 1888, the ship underwent its first significant Rebuild, shifting operations to include routes between Sandusky, Ohio, and Canadian ports. A second Rebuild in 1910 adjusted its dimensions and tonnage, modernizing the vessel for continued service.

Prohibition Era and Final Voyage

By the 1920s, the City of Dresden had transitioned to carrying cargo, including contraband liquor during Prohibition. On November 18, 1922, while navigating Lake Erie near Long Point, the vessel was caught in a violent storm. Driven into the shallows near Port Rowan, Ontario, the ship was wrecked.

The vessel’s fate was marred by tragedy. Peregrine McQueen, the captain’s son, lost his life in the incident. Local residents played heroic roles in rescuing the surviving crew and salvaging the cargo of illegal liquor. The ship, valued at $12,000, was a Total Loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Dresden was wrecked during a storm on November 18, 1922, near Port Rowan, Ontario. It was carrying contraband liquor at the time. Despite salvage efforts for the cargo, the vessel itself was irreparably damaged and Abandoned. Historical records indicate that the ship may have remained registered until 1937, though it was never operational again.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specific to the City of Dresden’s wreck site near Port Rowan, Ontario. Mariners in the area should remain cautious of potential submerged hazards in the vicinity of Long Point.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• •Windsor Historical Archives: Resources on local shipbuilding and ownership.
• Lake Erie Wreck Map: Reference for historical shipwrecks in the region.
• Great Lakes Ships
• Bowling Green State University
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The City of Dresden exemplifies the dynamic and often dangerous life of vessels on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its beginnings as a passenger ship to its later years as a Tugboat involved in Prohibition-era smuggling, the vessel’s history is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of Great Lakes Ships. Its tragic end in 1922 serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners navigating these inland seas.