IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: City of Ashland

• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer and Logging Tug

• Year Built: 1883

• Builder: Doherty Shipyard, Ashland, Wisconsin

• Dimensions:

• Length: 27.4 meters (90 feet)

• Beam: 6.1 meters (20 feet)

• Depth: 2.1 meters (7 feet)

• Gross Tonnage: 85 tons

• Net Tonnage: 80 tons

• Home Port: Marquette, Michigan

• Final Location: Near Washburn, Wisconsin, Lake Superior

• Depth: Submerged following a fire, no specific depth recorded

• Current Condition: Burned to the waterline and sank; considered a Total Loss

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Ashland was a Sidewheel Steamer designed for towing and light freight duties. With its wooden construction and moderate size, it was well-suited for operations on Lake Superior, including logging and small passenger excursions. Sidewheel steamers like the City of Ashland were popular in the late 19th century, though their vulnerability to fire and other hazards posed significant risks.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The City of Ashland was built in 1883 at the Doherty Shipyard in Ashland, Wisconsin. It began its career as a small passenger and package freighter, operating out of Marquette, Michigan. In addition to these duties, the vessel played a significant role in the region’s logging industry, towing log rafts and supporting timber operations—a critical economic activity in the Great Lakes region during that period.

Final Voyage

On August 8, 1887, while towing a log raft near Washburn, Wisconsin, disaster struck. A fire broke out near the boilers, rapidly consuming the wooden vessel. The flames spread quickly, cutting off the crew’s access to the lifeboat. Forced to jump overboard, the crew members were later rescued by local tugs.

Despite the valiant rescue efforts, the fire completely ravaged the City of Ashland, burning it to the waterline. The remains of the vessel sank shortly thereafter. Reports suggest that one or two lives were tragically lost in the incident.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Ashland was destroyed by fire and sank on August 8, 1887. The remains of the vessel were lost beneath the waters near Washburn, Wisconsin. No significant recovery or salvage efforts have been documented, and the wreck site has not been definitively located or explored in modern times.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the City of Ashland has not been officially identified or located. The fire and subsequent sinking occurred near Washburn, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. Given the vessel’s size and construction, any remaining wreckage is likely minimal or buried beneath sediment.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the City of Ashland. Mariners should exercise general caution when navigating near Washburn, Wisconsin, due to the historical presence of wrecks and underwater hazards.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships

David Swayze Shipwreck File

Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The City of Ashland is a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century vessels on the Great Lakes. Built in 1883, this versatile Sidewheel Steamer served the logging and transportation industries before succumbing to a devastating fire just four years later. The tragic loss of life and the vessel itself underscore the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation during the era.

Despite its short service life, the City of Ashland contributed to the bustling maritime activity of Lake Superior. Its destruction serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers of fire aboard wooden vessels and the resilience of those who worked these waters. Today, its legacy is preserved in the annals of Great Lakes history, a testament to the region’s rich maritime heritage.

Keywords: City of Ashland, Lake Superior, Sidewheel Steamer, Logging Tug, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Washburn Wisconsin, Maritime History, Vessel Fire