Identification & Site Information

• Name: Western Metropolis
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: None (pre-dating official registration requirements)
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
• Original Vessel Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer
  •  Length: 340 ft (103.63 m) Beam (Width): 40 ft (12.19 m)Depth of Hold: 14 ft (4.27 m)
  •  Tonnage as Sidewheeler: 1,861 tons
•  Converted Vessel Type: Bark (sailing vessel)
  • Converted in: 1863
  • Size Reduced: Exact post-Conversion dimensions not documented, but she was still the largest sail vessel on the Great Lakes at the time of her loss.
• Date Lost: October 8, 1864
• Place of Loss: Off Calumet, Illinois, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm, stranded and wrecked
• Loss of Life: Unreported
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unreported

Original Configuration: Sidewheel Steamer (1856–1863)

The Western Metropolis began her career as a wooden sidewheel steamer, a vessel type characterized by large paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the Hull. Built in 1856 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York, she was an exceptionally large vessel for her time, measuring 340 feet in length and 1,861 tons—making her one of the largest steamers on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers like the Western Metropolis were primarily used for passenger transport, package freight, and bulk cargo, playing a critical role in connecting cities across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.

Conversion to Bark (1863–1864)

In 1863, the Western Metropolis was converted from a sidewheeler to a Bark, a type of three-masted sailing vesselwith square sails on the fore and main masts and a fore-and-aft rigged mizzenmast. The Conversion involved:

• Removing the steam machinery and paddle wheels, reducing operational costs.

• Reducing her size, though she remained the largest sail-powered vessel on the Great Lakes in terms of cargo capacity.

This Conversion was likely motivated by the high costs of operating steamships and the increasing competition from newer, more efficient steamers. By converting to a sailing vessel, owners could continue to use the Hull for bulk freight transport while avoiding the expense of fuel and machinery maintenance.

Description

The Western Metropolis was originally designed as a massive sidewheel steamer, notable for her size and capacity. After her 1863 Conversion to a Bark, she retained much of her structural integrity but operated solely under sail. Her wooden Hull made her vulnerable to the severe storms common on the Great Lakes, especially in autumn, when weather conditions were notoriously unpredictable.

Despite her Conversion, the vessel’s sheer size made her difficult to maneuver in heavy weather, particularly near the shallow, treacherous waters off Calumet, Illinois—a developing industrial area near Chicago.

Operational History

The Western Metropolis served as a sidewheel steamer from 1856 to 1863, likely transporting passengers and freightbetween major Great Lakes ports, including Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit. Her Conversion to a Bark in 1863 allowed her to continue in service as a bulk cargo vessel, likely carrying grain, coal, timber, or other commodities.

Master (1863): Captain C. P. Morey was listed as the master of the vessel following her Conversion. His tenure suggests he oversaw the ship during its final operational period before the loss in 1864.

Final Voyage and Loss

On October 8, 1864, the Western Metropolis encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan while navigating near Calumet, Illinois. The vessel stranded offshore, likely due to a combination of high winds, heavy waves, and the vessel’s large size, which would have made maneuvering difficult in confined or shallow waters.

The vessel was pounded by waves for several days, and by October 12, 1864, she was reported as being completely wrecked and broken to pieces. The exact cause of the stranding is unreported, but it may have involved navigational errors, poor Visibility, or an inability to maintain control in worsening weather.

Several sources erroneously report that the vessel was wrecked at Calumet, Michigan on Lake Michigan, but historical records confirm the correct location as Calumet, Illinois, near Chicago.

Final Disposition

The Western Metropolis was considered a Total Loss following the storm. Given the extent of the wreck, any salvage efforts would have been limited to recovering materials such as metal fittings, rigging, and any cargo that could be retrieved from the shoreline. The wooden Hull likely deteriorated over time, either sinking into the lake or being scattered along the Calumet shoreline.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, given the industrial development in the Calumet area near Chicago, any remaining parts of the vessel may have been disturbed by subsequent harbor expansions or buried under sediment.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – The wreck is not marked as a navigational hazard, and no maritime advisories are associated with her loss.

Historical Significance

The Western Metropolis holds a unique place in Great Lakes maritime history as both one of the largest sidewheel steamers of her time and, later, the largest sail-powered vessel on the lakes after her Conversion to a Bark. Her short lifespan as a sailing vessel reflects the challenges of converting large steamers to sail, particularly in terms of navigational control and structural integrity in the face of Great Lakes storms.

Her loss off Calumet, Illinois, underscores the dangers faced by mariners navigating the southern end of Lake Michigan, an area notorious for its shifting sands, sudden storms, and the challenges of maneuvering near Chicago’s growing industrial port.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Chicago Maritime Museum
• Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Western Metropolis, sidewheel steamer, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Calumet wreck, Great Lakes barks, Bidwell & Banta shipbuilders, Captain C. P. Morey

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Steamers, Great Lakes Sailing Vessels, Storm-related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

• Sidewheel Steamer: A steam-powered vessel propelled by paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the Hull, common in the 19th century.
• Bark (Barque): A sailing vessel with three or more masts, with square sails on all masts except the aft-most, which is rigged fore-and-aft.
• Stranded: A maritime term describing a vessel that has run aground or become stuck in shallow water, often leading to structural failure.
• Calumet, Illinois: A historical industrial area near Chicago on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, known for its shipping and manufacturing significance.

Conclusion

The Western Metropolis serves as a fascinating example of the evolution of Great Lakes vessels during the mid-19th century. Originally launched as one of the largest sidewheel steamers on the lakes, her Conversion to a Bark in 1863allowed her to continue serving the booming Great Lakes trade. However, her final loss in 1864 near Calumet, Illinois, highlights the inherent risks of such large vessels navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, the Western Metropolis stands as a testament to the innovation, adaptation, and challengesof Great Lakes maritime history.