Propeller Steamer Troy (1849–1859)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Troy
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None (Pre-1869 U.S. Vessel Documentation Era)
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Propeller Steamer (passenger & package freight)
• Builder: Laffmuir & Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
• Year Built & Launched: 1849
• Specifications: Length: 163 ft (49.7 m) Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m) Depth: 10 ft (3.0 m)
• Tonnage: 340 Tonnage (Old Style)
• Date Lost: October 24, 1859
• Location of Loss: 10 miles north of Pointe aux Barques, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Storm (Foundered in a gale)
• Loss of Life: 23 of 26 crew and passengers
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Description & Service History

The Troy was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven Steamer, built in 1849 by Laffmuir & Moses in Cleveland, Ohio. She was designed for passenger and freight transport, serving routes on the Great Lakes. The vessel carried passengers, mail, and cargo between Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron ports.  She was owned by Byron D. Ball of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who also served as her master.  Ball had purchased the vessel just one month before her final voyage, suggesting she was already aging and possibly in poor condition.

The Troy had a history of major accidents, including boiler explosions and collisions before her final loss in 1859.

Major Incidents

• Boiler Explosion (March 1850, Buffalo, NY) A boiler explosion severely damaged the vessel while in Buffalo, New York. At least six people were killed.  The ship was repaired and returned to service later that year.

• Collision with Almeda (September 1850) The Troy collided with the Schooner Almeda, sinking her. The circumstances of the accident remain unclear.

• Boiler Explosion (September 1854, Lake Michigan) The Troy suffered another boiler explosion, this time on Lake Michigan. One person was killed, and the vessel was damaged again.

These repeated incidents suggest that the vessel may have been structurally weakened and prone to mechanical failure.

Final Voyage & Loss (1859)

On October 24, 1859, the Troy was sailing north on Lake Huron when she encountered a violent gale. The storm overpowered the vessel, and she Foundered 10 miles north of Pointe aux Barques, Michigan. 23 of the 26 crew and passengers perished, making this one of the deadlier shipwrecks of the era.  Only three survivors managed to escape.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Declared a Total Loss after sinking.
• No known salvage attempts.
• No confirmed remains of the wreck have been discovered.
• No confirmed wreck site identified.
• Possible remains may exist north of Pointe aux Barques, Michigan, in deep water.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 Pointe aux Barques was a notorious hazard for early Great Lakes Ships, with many vessels lost in the area due to storms and shifting sandbars. Boiler explosions were a frequent cause of maritime disasters in the 19th century, as early steam technology was often unstable and prone to catastrophic failure. The Troy’s multiple accidents over a decade suggest that she may have been poorly maintained or structurally compromised before her final voyage.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Troy was a troubled vessel, suffering multiple disasters before finally sinking in 1859 with great loss of life. Her history of boiler explosions, collisions, and mechanical failures suggests she was one of the more accident-prone steamers of her time. Though her wreck has never been found, she remains a tragic example of the risks early Steamship passengers faced on the Great Lakes.