IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Bay City

Type: Brig (converted to a Barge in 1871)

Year Built: 1857

Builder: Samuel J. Tripp, Portsmouth (East Saginaw), Michigan

Dimensions:

•Length: 140.2 feet (42.7 meters)

•Beam: 29 feet (8.8 meters)

•Depth: 10.4 feet (3.2 meters)

•Tonnage: 306 gross tons, 290 net tons

Last Port of Registry: Chicago, Illinois, and Buffalo, New York (enrolled in 1867)

Final Voyage Date: November 29, 1902

Final Disposition: Wrecked and Abandoned off Alpena, Michigan, in Thunder Bay

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Bay City began as a Brig, a two-masted sailing vessel optimized for bulk freight transport on the Great Lakes. In 1871, the vessel was converted into a Barge, reducing it to a single mast and altering its role to focus primarily on the booming lumber trade in Michigan’s Saginaw River region. This adaptation reflects the mid-19th-century shift in maritime operations to meet industrial demands.

HISTORY

The Bay City was launched in 1857 for H.D. Braddock of East Saginaw, Michigan. During its initial years, the Brig served as a key cargo carrier across the Great Lakes. It endured multiple incidents early in its career, including being dismasted in a storm on Lake Huron in 1858 and running aground on Point Pelee Reef later that year while carrying grain.

In 1871, the vessel was converted from a Brig to a Barge, signaling a shift in its use toward transporting lumber. The vessel became a staple in the Saginaw River trade, adapting to the industrial growth in the region. Over its long career, the Bay City saw multiple changes in ownership and function, becoming an enduring presence on the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On November 29, 1902, the Bay City was anchored in Thunder Bay by the Steamer Huron City. A severe storm broke the vessel’s anchor chains, driving it against the Gilchrist dock in Alpena, Michigan. The impact caused irreparable damage, and the crew managed to abandon the vessel safely. Declared a total wreck, the Bay City was Abandoned, ending its 45 years of service on the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the Bay City, but its remains lie in a region with a high concentration of wrecks, necessitating caution for divers and researchers.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck is part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, an area renowned for its preservation of historical shipwrecks. The Bay City’s resting place near Alpena, Michigan, has been documented, but detailed surveys have not been extensively published.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Bay City remains within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where it is accessible to divers. As with many wrecks in the area, the vessel’s remains are subject to deterioration due to environmental factors and its wooden construction. Divers should contact local authorities or dive operators for site-specific guidance and conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: NOAA Thunder Bay NMS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Database

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival resource for shipwreck documentation

•YouTube – Bay City Shipwreck: Dive videos and historical insights

DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Divers interested in the Bay City wreck should consider guided dives through the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary. With numerous shipwrecks in the area, including the Bay City, this site provides a rich opportunity to explore Great Lakes maritime history. Divers are advised to avoid disturbing the wreck to preserve its historical integrity.

TAGS

•#GreatLakesShipwreck

•#BayCityBrig

•#ThunderBayMarineSanctuary

•#AlpenaMichigan

•#LumberTradeHistory

•#19thCenturyShipping

•#GreatLakesMaritimeHistory

•#WreckDiving

CONCLUSION

The Bay City is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of 19th-century maritime vessels on the Great Lakes. From its origins as a Brig to its Conversion into a Barge, the ship reflects the evolution of commerce and industry during a time of great economic expansion. Its final wrecking in Thunder Bay serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who navigated these waters. Today, the Bay Cityrests within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, offering a unique window into the past for divers and historians alike.