Shipwreck Report: City of Syracuse (1901)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: City of Syracuse
• Year Built and Launched: 1901, launched on July 6, 1901
• Vessel Type: Passenger Steamboat (propeller-driven)
• Builder: Alonzo Springstead, Geneva, New York
• Commissioned By: Skaneateles Railroad
• Final Location: Near the village pier, Skaneateles Lake
• Specifications  Length: 112 feet (34.1 metres) Beam: 21 feet (6.4 metres)
• Propulsion: Propeller-driven, steam-powered
• Construction Material: Wood

Service History

The City of Syracuse was the largest and most iconic Steamboat on Skaneateles Lake, constructed specifically to meet the growing demand for passenger transport. It was designed to operate in tandem with the Skaneateles Railroad to serve tourists, vacationers, and locals traveling to various stops along the lake, including the Glen Haven Hotel, a popular resort destination.

Operations (1901–1915)

Regularly ferried passengers between the Village of Skaneateles, Glen Haven, and other lake landings. Its operations were synchronized with the railroad schedule, allowing seamless travel for passengers arriving by train  Known for its elegance and size, the City of Syracuse became a beloved symbol of Skaneateles Lake tourism during the early 20th century.

Decline in Use

• The rise of the automobile and the declining popularity of Steamboat travel reduced passenger numbers.
• The closure of the Glen Haven Hotel in the early 1910s further diminished the demand for its services.
• The vessel was removed from service in 1915, marking the end of its operational career.
• Date Removed from Service: 1915
• Date of Final Destruction: November 19, 1920
• Cause:  After being decommissioned, the machinery was scrapped in 1917, leaving the wooden Hull behind at the village pier.The Hull remained Abandoned until 1920, when it was dynamited to break it apart, and the remains were left where they sank near the pier.

Legacy and Significance

• Iconic Steamboat of Skaneateles Lake The City of Syracuse was the last and largest Steamboat to operate on the lake, serving as the crowning achievement of the Steamboat era on Skaneateles. It became a symbol of a bygone era of leisurely lake travel tied to the development of tourism and local commerce.
• Connection to the Glen Haven Hotel The vessel played a key role in the success of the Glen Haven Hotel, transporting vacationers to one of th region’s most popular resorts.
• Transition from Steamboats to Automobiles The City of Syracuse’s decline mirrors the broader trend of steamboats being phased out as automobiles became the dominant form of transportation.
• Wreck Location The dynamited remains of the City of Syracuse remain near the village pier in Skaneateles Lake. While the site is not a typical “shipwreck” location, it holds historical significance for the region and serves as a reminder of the Steamboat era.

Wreck Site Potential

Condition: Given the dynamiting of the Hull, little of the original structure is likely intact, though submerged remnants may be identifiable in the area near the pier.

Cultural Value: The site is significant for its connection to the Skaneateles Lake Steamboat era and could be of interest to maritime historians.

Accessibility: The site is likely in shallow water near the village pier and could be surveyed for potential remains.

Further Research and Resources

• Skaneateles Historical Society  https://skaneateleshistoricalsociety.org Offers detailed historical accounts of the City of Syracuse and other steamboats on Skaneateles Lake.
• Finger Lakes Boating Museum Provides resources on the history of steamboats in the Finger Lakes region, including photographs, maps, and historical documents.
• Local Newspapers Archival newspapers from the early 1900s may contain announcements, advertisements, and accounts of the City of Syracuse’s operations and eventual destruction.
• Lake Surveys and Diving Exploration near the village pier could uncover remnants or artifacts related to the vessel’s remains.
• Wikipedia – Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad Skaneateles Lake Genova
• Carris Photogrammetry See Below
• Syracuse.com – Article
• WordPress – Blog on Skaneateles
• Maritime History Of Skaneateles Lake, NY – Dana James Carris

City of Syracuse steamboat – Skaneateles Lake by Carris Photogrammetry on Sketchfab

City of Syracuse debris field – Skaneateles Lake by Carris Photogrammetry on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The City of Syracuse was the last and most iconic Steamboat on Skaneateles Lake, marking the end of an era that helped shape the region’s economic and cultural identity. Though its physical remains are fragmented, the vessel’s story continues to captivate local historians and visitors, representing a time when steamboats were the lifeblood of transportation and tourism on the lake. Its destruction in 1920 reflects the broader decline of the Steamboat industry as technological progress reshaped the landscape of transportation.