Shipwreck Report: Steamer Rochester (Formerly Charles West) (1883)

Identification & Site Information

• Original Name: Charles West (1883)
• Renamed: Rochester (1897)
• Official Number: 126115
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven passenger Steamer
• Built: 1883, by James Elliott, Saugatuck, Michigan
• Home Port: Buffalo, New York (at time of loss)
• Specifications
  •  Original Dimensions (1883): 74 feet x 19 feet x 8 feet
  • After Lengthening (1896-97): 95 feet (29 metres) x 18 feet (5.5 metres) x 8 feet (2.4 metres)
• Gross Tonnage: 61 tons
• Net Tonnage: 41 tons

Operational History

Early Years as Charles West (1883-1897)

Built as a fishing supply boat for use in the Great Lakes commercial fishing industry. Operated primarily out of Michigan waters before being acquired for passenger service.

Service as a Mackinac Ferry (1890-1896)

In 1890, she became the first vessel of the Arnold Mackinac Ferry Line, operating in: The Straits of Mackinac (between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas) The St. Mary’s River, connecting Michigan and Ontario. This service established a legacy of Ferry transport in the region, with Arnold Transit Company (its successor) continuing Ferry operations for over a century.

Fire & Rebuild at Manistee (1896-1897)

Suffered a fire but was Rebuilt, lengthened, and re-engined at Manistee, Michigan, in 1896-97. At this time, she was renamed Rochester.

Later Years as Rochester (1897-1919) Used as a passenger and general transport vessel, operating out of Buffalo, New York. Continued Great Lakes passenger and freight service, though records on her exact routes are limited.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: May 17, 1919
• Location: Tonawanda, New York, on the Niagara River (Lake Erie)
• Cause: Fire
• Cargo at Loss: None (empty at the time)
• Loss of Life: None

Incident Details

The Rochester caught fire at Tonawanda and was completely destroyed. The engine was salvaged and later installed in another vessel, possibly the 1918 Tug Rochester.

Legacy and Significance

First Vessel of the Arnold Mackinac Ferry Line The Rochester (formerly Charles West) was the first Ferry of what would become the Arnold Transit Company, a long-standing Ferry service to Mackinac Island. This gives her an important place in Michigan’s maritime history.

Transition from Commercial to Passenger Transport  Originally built as a fishing supply boat, the vessel was later repurposed for passenger service, a common trendamong smaller wooden Great Lakes vessels of the time.

Fire Risks in Early Wooden Steamers The Rochester suffered two severe fires (one in 1896-97, and the fatal one in 1919). Wooden steamships and ferries were extremely vulnerable to fire, leading to many similar losses on the Great Lakes.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Tonawanda, New York (Niagara River, Lake Erie).
• Current Condition: The Rochester burned completely, so few remains are likely to exist.The engine was recovered and repurposed in another vessel.
• Potential for Discovery: Any remaining Hull debris may have settled in the Tonawanda harbor area, though no known wreck survey has been conducted.

Further Research and Resources

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston https://www.marmuseum.ca Holds records of Great Lakes passenger steamers and shipwrecks.
• Mackinac Island Historical Society https://www.mackinacparks.com May have archives related to Arnold Mackinac Ferry Line history.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.caA searchable database of shipwreck records, newspapers, and historical documents.
• Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Holds archives related to Great Lakes shipping, fires, and shipbuilding.

Conclusion

The Rochester (formerly Charles West, 1883) had a long and varied career, first serving as a fishing supply vessel, then as the first Ferry for the Arnold Mackinac Ferry Line, and later as a passenger Steamer on Lake Erie. After being lengthened and re-engined, she continued service until her final fire and destruction in 1919 at Tonawanda, New York. Though no lives were lost, the vessel’s legacy remains as a historic link to Mackinac Ferry service and early Great Lakes transportation.