Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen of the Lakes
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: 20593
• Date Built and Launched: 1872, by Kirby & Ward, Wyandotte, Michigan
• Measurements: Length: 108 ft (32.9 m) Beam: 19 ft (5.8 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 153 tons
• Net Tonnage: 138 tons
• Date of Loss: September 18, 1898
• Place of Loss: Off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

The Queen of the Lakes was a Sidewheel Steamer constructed from iron, designed for passenger and package freight transport. Sidewheel steamers were commonly used in the late 19th century for short-haul routes and regional passenger services, providing vital connections between smaller communities and larger ports.

Description

Built in 1872 by Kirby & Ward in Wyandotte, Michigan, the Queen of the Lakes was a 108-foot iron-hulled sidewheel steamer. Her compact size and shallow Draft made her ideal for navigating the Inland Route lakes across the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, a network of interconnected lakes and rivers facilitating local transport.

The vessel was owned by Captain F. Johnson and hailed from Grand Haven, Michigan. Throughout her service life, she transported passengers and light freight, playing an important role in connecting small communities along Lake Michigan and the Inland Route.

History and Service Life

Passenger and Freight Service (1872–1898): The Queen of the Lakes spent most of her career operating on the Inland Route, a series of lakes and rivers stretching from Crooked Lake to Lake Michigan. This route provided a sheltered passage for passengers and goods traveling across the northern regions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Role in Regional Transportation: The vessel was an essential part of the local transportation network, providing reliable service in areas where overland travel was limited. She connected Grand Haven with other port towns along Lake Michigan, supporting both commercial trade and tourism.

Final Disposition and Loss (1898)

• Cause of Loss: Fire
• Date of Loss: September 18, 1898
• Location: Off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan

On September 18, 1898, the Queen of the Lakes caught fire either while anchored offshore or within the harbor of South Manitou Island. The blaze originated above her boilers, a common location for fires on steam-powered vessels due to the proximity of heat sources and flammable materials.

Strong storm winds quickly fanned the flames, making it impossible to control the fire. The vessel burned to a Total Loss, sinking shortly thereafter. Despite the severity of the fire, there were no casualties reported, suggesting the crew and any passengers were able to safely abandon ship.

Loss of Life None: No loss of life was reported in connection with the fire and sinking of the Queen of the Lakes.

Final Disposition

The Queen of the Lakes was destroyed by fire and sank off South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. There are no records indicating that the vessel was salvaged or recovered, and she was declared a Total Loss.

Wreck Discovery and Current Status

Wreck Location: The Queen of the Lakes is believed to rest off the shores of South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.

Condition of the Wreck: Given that the vessel was iron-hulled, parts of the Hull structure can be found on the lake bed, the fire  caused extensive damage, and the freshwater environment of Lake Michigan contributed to corrosion over time.

Diving and Exploration: South Manitou Island is a popular diving destination due to its numerous shipwrecks. The wreck of the Queen of the Lakes can be accessible to divers, though it is less well-known compared to other wrecks in the area.

Historical Significance

Role in Inland Route Transportation: The Queen of the Lakes was an important vessel in the Inland Route transportation network, which connected remote communities across northern Michigan. Her service facilitated both passenger travel and the movement of goods, contributing to the economic development of the region.

Iron Hull Construction: Built with an iron Hull at a time when wooden vessels still dominated the Great Lakes, the Queen of the Lakes represents the transition period in shipbuilding as metal hulls became more common. Her construction by Kirby & Ward in Wyandotte highlights the innovation in Michigan’s shipbuilding industry during the late 19th century.

Fire Hazards on Steamships: The vessel’s loss by fire underscores the persistent dangers faced by steam-powered ships. Fires were a leading cause of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, particularly for vessels with wooden superstructures and flammable cargoes.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no specific navigational hazards related to the Queen of the Lakes wreck, South Manitou Island is known for its treacherous waters and shallow reefs, which have claimed many vessels over the years.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake shore – South Manitou Island Shipwrecks
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

Conclusion

The Queen of the Lakes, an iron-hulled Sidewheel Steamer built in 1872 by Kirby & Ward in Wyandotte, Michigan, played a vital role in the Inland Route transportation network, connecting remote communities across northern Michigan. Her destruction by fire off South Manitou Island in 1898 highlights the challenges faced by steam-powered vessels and the dangers of fire aboard 19th-century ships.

The vessel’s contribution to regional transportation and her innovative iron construction make her a significant part of Great Lakes maritime history. While the wreck remains undocumented, it adds to the rich tapestry of shipwrecks that lie beneath the waters of Lake Michigan.

Suggested Keywords: Queen of the Lakes Sidewheel Steamer, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, South Manitou Island shipwrecks, Inland Route Michigan maritime history, Kirby & Ward shipbuilders Wyandotte, Great Lakes Steamship fires.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Steamships, Maritime Disasters in Michigan, 19th Century Passenger Vessels.

Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Inland Route Michigan, South Manitou Island, Iron-Hulled Ship, Great Lakes Ship Fires.