Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen City
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: 20519
• Date Built and Launched: 1856, by Pringle, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• Measurements: Length: 118 ft (36 m) Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 177 tons
• Date of Loss: November 22, 1875
• Place of Loss: Near Ford River, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

The Queen City was originally built as a wooden Sidewheel Steamer designed for passenger and package freight service. Around 1869 (some sources show) converted into a steam Tug, reflecting a common practice of re-purposing older Passenger Vessels for towing and utility work on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steam tugs were essential in assisting larger vessels, towing barges, and supporting harbor operations.

Description

Built in 1856 by Pringle in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the Queen City was a 118-foot wooden Sidewheel Steamer. Initially, she served as a riverine passenger and freight vessel, operating on inland waterways and possibly making short trips on Lake Michigan. Her shallow Draft of 6 feet made her well-suited for river navigation and harbor operations.

At some point around 1869, the Queen City was converted into a steam Tug. This Conversion would have involved removing passenger accommodations and reinforcing her structure for towing operations. The vessel was Rebuilt in 1875, suggesting that she was in active service until her final loss.

History and Service Life

Passenger and Freight Service (1856–1869): As a sidewheel passenger and package freight Steamer, the Queen City operated on inland rivers and harbours around Lake Michigan. Vessels of this type were crucial for connecting towns along rivers and lakes, providing transportation for both people and goods.

Conversion to Steam Tug (circa 1869): By 1869 now converted into a steam Tug. This change would have allowed the Queen City to serve in harbor operations, towing barges, and assisting larger vessels. The Conversion reflects a common trend in the Great Lakes maritime industry, where older vessels were repurposed for utility work.

Rebuild and Final Service (1875): The Queen City was Rebuilt in 1875, indicating she was maintained for continued service. This likely included structural reinforcements and updates to her engine and sidewheel mechanisms. Her final role as a steam Tug involved assisting in the shipping operations around Escanaba, a key port for the iron ore trade in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Final Disposition and Loss (1875)

• Cause of Loss: Fire
• Date of Loss: November 22, 1875
• Location: Near Ford River, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin

While en route to Escanaba to lay up for the winter, the Queen City caught fire. The cause of the fire is unknown, but fires were a common hazard for wooden steam vessels, particularly as they aged and their structures became more susceptible to combustion.

The crew Abandoned ship in the vessel’s Yawl (a small lifeboat) and landed safely at Indiantown, Michigan, about 10 miles south of Escanaba. The Queen City burned to the waterline and was declared a Total Loss.

Loss of Life

None: The crew successfully Abandoned ship and landed safely in Indiantown, Michigan.

Final Disposition

The Queen City was destroyed by fire and sank near Ford River, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. There are no records of the vessel being salvaged or recovered, and she was declared a Total Loss.

Historical Significance

Transition from Passenger Service to Tug Work: The Queen City’s history reflects the adaptability of vessels in the Great Lakes maritime industry. Originally built for passenger and freight service, she was later converted into a steam Tug, extending her operational life and supporting the growing shipping industry in the Lake Michigan region.

Role in Escanaba’s Shipping Industry: The vessel’s final voyage to Escanaba highlights the importance of steam tugs in the iron ore trade. Escanaba was a critical port for iron ore shipments from the Upper Peninsula, and vessels like the Queen City played a vital role in harbor operations and towing.

Common Hazards of Wooden Steam Vessels: The fire that destroyed the Queen City underscores the risks associated with wooden steamships in the 19th century. Despite efforts to maintain and Rebuild such vessels, fire remained a constant threat, particularly as these ships aged.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no known navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Queen City, though the exact location of the wreck near Ford River, Wisconsin, remains undocumented.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Escanaba Maritime Museum
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The Queen City, a wooden Sidewheel Steamer built in 1856 by Pringle of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, served various roles during her nearly two-decade career on the Great Lakes. Starting as a  passenger and freight vessel, she was likely converted into a steam Tug around 1869, supporting towing operations in the Lake Michigan region.

Her destruction by fire near Ford River, Wisconsin, in 1875 marked the end of a vessel that had adapted to the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping. The safe evacuation of her crew and the vessel’s Conversion history reflect both the challenges and innovations of 19th-century maritime operations on the Great Lakes.

Suggested Keywords: Queen City steam Tug, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, Escanaba maritime history, Pringle shipbuilders Oshkosh, Great Lakes steam Tug fires, sidewheel steamers Great Lakes.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Steam Tugs, Maritime Disasters in Wisconsin, 19th Century Great Lakes Vessels.

Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Steam Tug, Yawl, Lake Michigan Maritime History, Wooden Steamship Fires.