Identification & Site Information
- Name: City of Duluth
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 125278
- Date Built and Launched: 1874
- Builder: Philander Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller (Passenger & Freight Steamer)
- Hull Material: Wood
- Measurements: Length: 202 ft (61.5 m) Beam: 36 ft (11 m) Depth: 13.1 ft (4 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 1,110 tons
- Net Tonnage: 882 tons
- Passenger Capacity: 150
- Date Lost: January 2, 1898 (wreck reported January 26, 1898)
- Place of Loss: Near St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Lake: Lake Michigan
- Type of Loss: Grounded & Broke Up
- Loss of Life: None reported
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Passengers & merchandise
Vessel Type & Description
The City of Duluth was a wooden-hulled Propeller Steamer, built in 1874 by Philander Lester in Marine City, Michigan. Designed for passenger and freight service, the vessel featured two decks and could accommodate up to 150 passengers alongside substantial cargo. With a length of 202 feet and a Gross Tonnage of 1,110, the City of Duluth was a mid-sized Steamer, typical of the period’s vessels that balanced luxury passenger service with practical cargo transport.
Her single Screw Propulsion was powered by a for-and-aft compound engine, providing efficient power for long-distance routes across the Great Lakes. The vessel was constructed with steel arches during a Rebuild in 1886, a structural reinforcement reflecting the growing need for durability amid the shifting demands of Great Lakes commerce.
History
The City of Duluth had a long and eventful career, serving on multiple Great Lakes routes and changing ownership several times.
Key Historical Milestones:
- 1874: Maiden voyage between Cleveland and Duluth.
- 1876: Operated by Ward’s Lake Superior Line, providing weekly service between Detroit and Lake Superior ports.
- 1886: Rebuilt at Buffalo, receiving steel arches and modifications to increase cargo and passenger capacity.
- 1888-1897: Experienced numerous groundings, collisions, and mechanical issues but continued to operate under various owners, including the Lake Michigan & Lake Superior Transportation Co.
Notable Incidents:
- 1884: Grounded at Copper Harbor, MI.
- 1889: Collided with the Steamer Roanoke at Sault Ste. Marie, and later that year, with the Rufus P. Ranney.
- 1897: Involved in a collision with Mariska at the Sault Locks.
- Grounded multiple times in locations such as South Fox Island, Hay Lake Channel, and St. Joseph, MI.
Role in Mary D. Ayer Incident (1896)
On May 17, 1896, the City of Duluth played a crucial role in the aftermath of the collision between the Schooner Mary D. Ayer and the bulk freighter Onoko. After the Mary D. Ayer collided with the Onoko in dense fog near Grosse Pointe, Illinois, the City of Duluth attempted to tow the damaged Schooner to safety.
However, as the Mary D. Ayer began to sink rapidly, the City of Duluth was forced to cut the tow line and lower boats in a rescue attempt. Unfortunately, five of the seven crew members aboard the Schooner were lost before they could be saved.
Final Voyage & Loss
On January 2, 1898, while operating under a winter charter for Graham & Morton Co., the City of Duluth was wrecked near the piers at St. Joseph, Michigan.
Details of the Incident:
- The vessel grounded near the St. Joseph piers under circumstances likely involving poor weather or navigational errors common during winter operations on Lake Michigan.
- The vessel broke up over time due to exposure to harsh winter conditions and lake ice.
- The wrecking Schooner Judd was dispatched on September 5, 1899, to remove the wreckage, marking the final chapter in the City of Duluth‘s service.
Final Disposition
The City of Duluth was removed by the wrecking Schooner Judd in 1899. No significant parts of the wreck remain in situ, and the vessel was declared a Total Loss following the grounding and subsequent deterioration.
Located By & Date Found
As the wreck was intentionally removed, there is no known site of the City of Duluth remaining for exploration or diving purposes.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The St. Joseph piers and surrounding Lake Michigan waters remain areas of dense maritime traffic and challenging navigation conditions, particularly in winter months. Mariners should remain vigilant and consult updated nautical charts when navigating this historically hazardous region.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
- Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy
Conclusion
The City of Duluth’s 24-year career reflects the dynamic and perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation in the late 19th century. Built in 1874, the vessel served on various passenger and freight routes, enduring collisions, groundings, and rebuilds before her final grounding at St. Joseph in 1898. Her involvement in the tragic sinking of the Mary D. Ayer underscores the dangers of maritime travel during this era, especially under conditions of dense fog and poor Visibility. Ultimately, the City of Duluth was removed and scrapped in 1899, but her story remains a significant chapter in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.
Keywords: City of Duluth, St. Joseph Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Steamer, Great Lakes Propeller Vessel, Maritime Collisions
Categories: Great Lakes Passenger Vessels, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Groundings
Glossary Terms: Propeller Steamer, Maritime Grounding, Passenger & Freight Vessel, Tow Operations, Wreck Removal
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