Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen City
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: None
• Date Built and Launched: 1848, by Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
• Original Build Type: Sidewheel Steamer
• Converted: 1862, to a wooden Bark (3-masted Barge)
• Measurements: Length: 242 ft (73.7 m) Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
• Tonnage: 906 tons
• Date of Loss: August 16, 1863 (some sources cite 1865 or 1866)
• Place of Loss: Between Lexington & Lakeport, Michigan  Lake Huron

Vessel Type

The Queen City began her life as a Sidewheel Steamer but was later converted to a wooden Bark—a three-masted sailing vessel used for bulk cargo transport. This Conversion from steam propulsion to a sailing Barge reflects a common mid-19th century practice of repurposing older steam vessels for more economical freight use, especially as technological advancements rendered some steamers obsolete.

Description

Built in 1848 by Bidwell & Banta of Buffalo, New York, the Queen City was originally a Sidewheel Steamer designed for passenger and freight transport on the Great Lakes. At 242 feet in length, she was considered a large vessel for the time, capable of carrying substantial cargo and passengers.

In 1862, after nearly 15 years of service, the Queen City was converted into a Bark, a type of three-masted sailing shipoptimized for bulk freight. This change was likely due to the vessel’s age and the growing efficiency of newer steamships, making her more valuable as a towable cargo vessel.

History and Service Life

For nearly 15 years, the Queen City operated as a Sidewheel Steamer, serving various passenger and freight routes on the Great Lakes. As a large and powerful Steamer, she likely transported goods such as lumber, coal, and grain, while also accommodating passengers on popular lake routes between Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago, and other key ports.

By 1862, the vessel was converted from a Steamer to a Bark. This Conversion allowed the ship to continue operating as a freight carrier while being towed by steam tugs rather than relying on her own steam engines. This was a common practice for older steamers as steam technology advanced and new ships became faster and more efficient.

On her final voyage, the Queen City was bound for Saginaw, Michigan, under tow by the steam Tug James E. Eagle. She was carrying light cargo or possibly traveling empty to pick up freight in Saginaw when she encountered severe weather on Lake Huron.

Final Disposition and Loss (1863)

• Cause of Loss: Storm and Grounding
• Date of Loss: August 16, 1863 (conflicting reports suggest 1865 or 1866)
• Location: Between Lexington and Lakeport, Michigan, Lake Huron

While being towed north on Lake Huron, the Queen City encountered a gale. She was wrecked and sank after striking bottom, which may have compromised her Hull integrity. The crew Abandoned ship after the initial impact, but the vessel remained afloat for several days, drifting between Lexington and Lakeport before eventually sinking.

The delayed sinking suggests that the vessel’s damage was progressive, likely caused by the rough seas pounding her weakened structure. The Queen City was considered a Total Loss following the incident, and no attempts were made to salvage or repair her.

Loss of Life

None: The crew successfully Abandoned ship after the vessel was wrecked, and no casualties were reported.

Final Disposition

The Queen City sank in Lake Huron between Lexington and Lakeport, Michigan. The wreck was Abandoned, and the vessel was never recovered. In the mid-1990s, the wreckage of the Queen City was located, offering insights into her construction and the events leading to her sinking.

Wreck Discovery and Current Status

Wreck Located: The Queen City’s wreck was discovered in the mid-1990s in Lake Huron, between Lexington and Lakeport, Michigan. The discovery confirmed the size and construction details of the vessel, matching historical records.

Condition of the Wreck: The wreck is believed to be partially intact, with sections of the Hull and decking still visible. The wooden structure has been preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Huron, which are known for slowing the decomposition of wooden ships.

Diving and Exploration: The wreck site may be accessible to divers, although its precise location is typically shared only among the Great Lakes diving community. The site provides valuable archaeological insights into 19th-century shipbuilding techniques and the Conversion process from Steamer to sailing Barge.

Historical Significance

Steam to Sail Conversion: The Queen City is a representative example of mid-19th century vessels that were converted from steam to sail. As steam technology advanced, older vessels like the Queen City were often repurposed rather than scrapped, extending their operational lifespan and economic value.

Maritime Commerce on Lake Huron: The vessel’s operation and eventual loss highlight the importance of Lake Huron as a commercial shipping route. The region was a hub for the lumber and grain industries, and vessels like the Queen City played a key role in supporting the growing economy of Michigan and surrounding areas.

Survivability and Maritime Safety: The successful abandonment of the Queen City without loss of life demonstrates the effectiveness of safety protocols in place even during the mid-1800s. The fact that the vessel floated for several days after being wrecked suggests robust construction, despite her age.

Located By & Date Found

Wreckage Located: Mid-1990s, in Lake Huron between Lexington and Lakeport, Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no known navigational hazards associated with the Queen City’s wreck, though the site may be of interest to divers and maritime historians.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Lake Huron Shipwrecks – Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

Conclusion

The Queen City, built as a Sidewheel Steamer in 1848 by Bidwell & Banta of Buffalo, New York, was later converted into a three-masted Bark in 1862. This vessel’s transformation reflects the economic realities and technological advancements of the mid-19th century, as older steamers were repurposed for freight transport.

Her loss in a gale on Lake Huron in 1863 underscores the dangers of Great Lakes shipping, even for vessels operated under tow. Though she was Abandoned after striking bottom, the vessel remained afloat for several days before sinking between Lexington and Lakeport, Michigan. The discovery of her wreck in the mid-1990s has provided valuable insights into both her original construction and her Conversion from Steamer to sailing Barge.

Suggested Keywords: Queen City Bark, Lake Huron shipwrecks, Great Lakes sidewheel steamers, Bidwell & Banta shipbuilders, James E. Eagle Tug, Lexington Michigan shipwreck.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Converted Steamships of the Great Lakes, Maritime Disasters in Michigan, 19th Century Great Lakes Vessels.

Glossary Terms: Bark, Sidewheel Steamer, Steam-to-Sail Conversion, Tow Vessel, Lake Huron Maritime History.