Shipwreck Report: Barge QUEEN CITY

Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: QUEEN CITY

•Type: Former Side-Wheel Steamer, converted to Barge

•Built: 1847

•Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York

•Original Owner: Charles M. Reed, Erie, Pennsylvania

•Gross Tonnage: 866 tons

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Final Incident Date: August 16, 1863

•Location: Off Point au Barques, Lake Huron

•Condition: Total Loss; wreck site not documented

Vessel Type Description

Originally designed as an elegant side-wheel passenger Steamer, the QUEEN CITY represented the pinnacle of 19th-century shipbuilding. Operated by Reed’s Line, it served the busy route between Buffalo and Chicago, offering passengers a swift and luxurious journey. With a speed of twelve miles per hour, she was among the finest steamers of her time.

In her later years, the vessel was stripped of her engines and repurposed as a lumber Lighter, reflecting the common practice of extending the service life of older ships. As a Barge, she was utilized for transporting lumber in and out of the Saginaw River.

History of the Incident

On the stormy night of August 16, 1863, the QUEEN CITY met her tragic end while being towed by the Tug EAGLE on Lake Huron, near Point au Barques. Acting as a lumber Barge, she encountered a heavy gale that caused her to spring a leak. The incoming water overwhelmed the vessel, and despite the crew’s efforts, the Barge rapidly filled with water.

The Tug EAGLE, unable to bear the strain of the heavily laden QUEEN CITY, cut her adrift, leaving the Barge and its seven-man crew to fend for themselves. Without assistance, the crew endured perilous conditions while attempting to make it to shore.

Tragedy and Controversy

The actions of the Tug EAGLE’s officers drew severe criticism from the maritime community. Witnesses noted that the Tug had the capacity to rescue the crew and salvage valuable materials but chose not to. This disregard for human life and property tarnished the incident with a sense of inhumanity, overshadowing the natural disaster that led to the QUEEN CITY’s sinking.

Final Disposition

The QUEEN CITY was Abandoned to the storm and sank without a trace. Her loss symbolized the decline of Reed’s Line of steamers, as her consort, the KEY STONE STATE, had already met a similar fate years earlier. The wreck of the QUEEN CITY has not been located, and no artifacts have been recovered.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the QUEEN CITY. The wreck site has not been identified or documented, leaving her final resting place unknown.

Located By & Date

The QUEEN CITY’s wreck has not been located. The vessel was Abandoned in deep water during a severe storm, with no records of subsequent searches or discoveries.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to the lack of recovery efforts and documentation, the QUEEN CITY is presumed to lie at an undetermined depth off Point au Barques in Lake Huron. Her remains, if intact, have likely deteriorated significantly over time.

Historical Context

The QUEEN CITY’s transition from luxury Steamer to lumber Barge exemplifies the evolving needs of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th century. Her tragic end underscores the hazards of maritime transport, particularly for vessels operating as barges under tow, which were highly vulnerable to adverse weather.

Conclusion

The QUEEN CITY’s story is a poignant reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners. Her elegant beginnings as a side-wheel passenger Steamer were overshadowed by her somber end as a lumber Barge Abandoned to the storm. The tragedy is further amplified by the controversy surrounding the Tug EAGLE’s refusal to assist her crew. Though the QUEEN CITY is now lost to history, her tale endures as a testament to the perilous and unpredictable nature of maritime life on Lake Huron.

Keywords

#QueenCity #LakeHuronShipwreck #PointAuBarques #ReedsLine #GreatLakesShipping #MaritimeHistory #Shipwrecks #19thCenturyVessels

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