IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Original Name: M.C. Hawley

• Later Name: City of Green Bay

• Vessel Type: Steam-powered sidewheeler (converted to propeller-driven vessel and Dredge over time)

• Built: 1880 by John Gregory, Fort Howard, Wisconsin

• Dimensions:

• Length: 131 feet (39.9 m)

• Beam (Width): 20 feet (6.1 m)

• Depth: 8 feet (2.4 m)

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 208 tons

• Net: 171 tons

• Propulsion: high-pressure steam engine

• Last Known Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, off Sandstone Point (also known as Whitestone Point)

• Final Incident: Burned to the waterline and sank on August 19, 1909

• Current Condition: Declared a Total Loss; unrecovered wreck

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Green Bay began its career as the M.C. Hawley, a wooden Sidewheel Steamer. These vessels were a mainstay of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, designed for passenger and freight transportation. Over the years, the ship was modified extensively, including a Conversion to a propeller-driven vessel, reflecting the technological and commercial shifts of the era. It eventually served various roles, including operating as a Dredge.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The M.C. Hawley was built in 1880 by John Gregory in Fort Howard, Wisconsin, primarily for use in Wisconsin’s bustling maritime trade. With its modest dimensions and efficient steam propulsion, the vessel quickly became a reliable asset for its early owners.

In 1884, the ship was renamed the City of Green Bay and began a varied career, changing ownership multiple times. It served as a cargo transporter for the Wisconsin Central Railroad, provided services on Lake Superior routes, and adapted to the demands of each new owner.

Ownership and Role Changes

Over the years, the City of Green Bay changed hands between prominent shipping companies, including:

• McCormick & Co.

• Thomas Hawley

• Booth P. Co.

• M. & P. Transportation Co.

• Harts Steamship Line

The vessel underwent significant transformations, including a shift from sidewheel propulsion to propeller power. Its versatility enabled it to serve various functions, from freight carriage to dredging, showcasing its adaptability to changing commercial needs.

The Fateful Day: August 19, 1909

While crossing Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, the City of Green Bay was engulfed by a fire. The blaze spread rapidly, consuming the vessel entirely. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the ship burned to the waterline and sank near Sandstone Point.

Miraculously, all onboard survived the incident. Crew members Abandoned the ship and reached safety, but the vessel and its cargo were a Total Loss. The City of Green Bay was officially declared unrecoverable, and its enrollment was surrendered on August 24, 1909.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Green Bay was consumed by fire and sank in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, off Sandstone Point. The vessel was never salvaged and was officially declared a Total Loss in 1909. Insurance adjusters concluded that recovery efforts were impractical.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the wreck of the City of Green Bay.

• Mariners should exercise general caution in the Saginaw Bay area, particularly near historic shipwreck sites.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The City of Green Bay sank on August 19, 1909, but its exact location has not been definitively identified. Historical accounts suggest it rests near Sandstone Point, Lake Huron.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Ships
• Bowling Green State University
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The City of Green Bay, with its transformation from a sidewheeler to a propeller-driven vessel and eventual demise as a Dredge, reflects the dynamic evolution of Great Lakes maritime commerce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its tragic end in 1909 highlights the ever-present dangers of maritime life, particularly the threat of onboard fires. Today, the vessel’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels and the legacy they leave behind.

Keywords: City of Green Bay, M.C. Hawley, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Saginaw Bay fire, Great Lakes maritime history, Sandstone Point wreck, wooden sidewheeler.External Links