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Shipwreck Report: CITY OF SANDUSKY (formerly JAY COOKE)

Identification & Site Information

• Original Name: JAY COOKE

• Later Name: CITY OF SANDUSKY

• Type: Sidewheel Steamer (later converted to dump scow and Breakwater)

• Year Built: 1868

• Builder: John P. Clark, Detroit, Michigan

• Dimensions:

• Length: 162.8 feet

• Beam: 25.7 feet

• Depth: 9 feet

• Engine: Vertical beam (walking beam) engine, single cylinder, single boiler

• Material: Wooden Hull

• Final Location: Windmill Point, Lake St. Clair

• Final Fate: Hull burned in 1922

Vessel Type Description

The CITY OF SANDUSKY, originally built as the JAY COOKE, was a wooden-hulled Sidewheel Steamer designed for passenger and freight service. Its propulsion system relied on a vertical Walking Beam Engine, a hallmark of 19th-century sidewheel steamers. After its decommissioning as a Steamer, the vessel was repurposed as a dump scow and later as a Breakwater, showcasing its adaptability during the transitional era of maritime technology.

History

Construction and Early Years

Launched in 1868, the Steamer JAY COOKE initially served the busy route between Detroit, Michigan, and Sandusky, Ohio. During this period, the vessel symbolized the rapid growth of maritime transport on the Great Lakes, facilitating passenger travel and cargo movement.

Transformation into the CITY OF SANDUSKY

The vessel was renamed CITY OF SANDUSKY and underwent significant modifications in 1894-1895, including the removal of its engine and Conversion into a dump scow. It became instrumental in disposing of street sweepings from Detroit into Lake Erie, reflecting the utilitarian roles vessels adopted during the era.

Challenges and Rebuilds

In July 1895, the CITY OF SANDUSKY faced sabotage, being intentionally scuttled at its dock. Despite this, it was salvaged and Rebuilt in 1900 by Hawley Bros. of Detroit, indicating the vessel’s resilient construction and ongoing utility. However, by 1905, it was Abandoned, its role as a functional vessel nearing its end.

Final Role as a Breakwater

In 1908, the Hull was repurposed as a Breakwater at Windmill Point in Lake St. Clair. This innovative use highlights how obsolete vessels were often integrated into infrastructure projects. However, the Hull burned in 1922, marking the definitive end of its long and varied life.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: 1922

• Cause: Fire consumed the Abandoned Hull while it served as a Breakwater.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Status: The wreckage is no longer visible, with remnants likely scattered or absorbed into the Breakwater structure at Windmill Point.

• Historical Marker: While no specific marker exists, the site is significant in the history of Lake St. Clair’s maritime activity.

Located By & Date

• The vessel’s final role as a Breakwater was well-documented, but no modern surveys have located distinct remnants of the Hull.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel records and historical photographs.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed accounts of Great Lakes steamers.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Vessel history and abandonment records.

Conclusion

The CITY OF SANDUSKY, originally launched as the JAY COOKE, exemplifies the dynamic lifecycle of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From a passenger Steamer to a utilitarian scow and ultimately a Breakwater, the vessel adapted to the evolving needs of the maritime industry. Its fiery end in 1922 marked the conclusion of a storied history, but its legacy endures as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Great Lakes mariners and shipbuilders.

Tags

#CityOfSandusky #JayCooke #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #LakeStClairShipwreck #19thCenturySteamers #BreakwaterVessels #ShipwrecksOfTheGreatLakes