Identification & Site Information

• Name: IOWA
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Wooden passenger Steamer
• Date Built and Launched: 1896 (on the Hull of the burned MENOMINEE, originally built in 1872)
• Builder: Goodrich Transportation Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Measurements: 215 ft (65.5 m) length, 30 ft (9.1 m) beam
• Date Lost: February 4, 1915
• Place of Loss: Approximately 3 miles off the Chicago River mouth, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Passenger Steamer

Description

The IOWA was a wooden-hulled passenger Steamer owned by the Goodrich Transportation Company. Built in 1896 on the remains of the burned Steamer MENOMINEE, she was designed to provide comfortable and modern accommodations for passengers traveling between Chicago, Milwaukee, and other ports on Lake Michigan. The vessel featured 52 staterooms for 108 passengers on the cabin Deck and 24 staterooms for 48 passengers on the hurricane Deck. The main saloon and other apartments were well-appointed with electric lighting, reflecting the advanced amenities of the time.

History

The IOWA had a storied history on Lake Michigan, marked by multiple incidents involving ice and collisions. In March 1912, she and the Steamer RACINE were trapped in ice off Racine, Wisconsin, for five days. The crew and a lone passenger had to walk ashore to communicate with the Goodrich offices. Eventually, the ice was cleared using dynamite, freeing both vessels.

In July 1913, the IOWA sank in the Chicago River after being rammed by the sidewheeler SHEBOYGAN in heavy fog. The collision tore a 30-foot hole in the vessel’s starboard side, causing her to sink at the North Dock with $60,000 worth of cargo still aboard. Despite these setbacks, the IOWA continued service until her final loss in 1915.

On February 4, 1915, the IOWA was navigating off the Chicago River mouth when she encountered massive ice floes. The ice surged against the sides of the ship, causing leaks and punctures that the crew could not control. The vessel began to settle, and the order was given to abandon ship. The crew and sole passenger climbed over the side and walked to shore across the ice, covering three to six miles depending on their route. All aboard made it safely.

Final Disposition

The IOWA was crushed by ice and sank in Lake Michigan approximately three miles off Chicago on February 4, 1915. The vessel was a Total Loss, though no lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the IOWA‘s wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the IOWA wreck site off Chicago, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Marine Collection – Milwaukee Public Library
• Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Goodrich Line’s Steamer IOWA had a long and eventful career on Lake Michigan, surviving multiple encounters with ice and even a previous sinking in the Chicago River before meeting her final fate in 1915. Her loss to ice off Chicago is a testament to the treacherous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the winter months. The safe evacuation of all crew and the sole passenger, who walked across the ice to shore, stands as a remarkable example of resilience and quick thinking in the face of disaster.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: IOWA Steamer shipwreck, Chicago ice shipwreck, Lake Michigan passenger Steamer, Goodrich Transportation Company, SHEBOYGAN collision, RACINE ice entrapment
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Steamers, Ice-Related Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Passenger Ships, Goodrich Line Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Ice Floes: Large, floating sheets of ice that can cause significant damage to vessels by puncturing hulls or crushing ships trapped between them.
• Steamer: A ship powered by steam engines, commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries for both freight and passenger transport.
• Hurricane Deck: The uppermost Deck on a Steamer, often used for passenger accommodations and providing expansive views.