IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CITY OF BUFFALO was originally launched as a sidewheel steamer in 1857. Sidewheel steamers were among the most popular types of vessels for passenger and freight transportation on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. They were known for their large paddle wheels on either side of the vessel, which provided propulsion. The CITY OF BUFFALO was a significant ship of its time, both in size and capacity, and served the busy trade routes on Lake Erie.
In 1863-1864, the vessel underwent a significant conversion, changing from a sidewheel steamer to a propeller freighter. This conversion was performed by E.S. Prosser & Co. of Buffalo. Propeller freighters were becoming more common during this period, as they were generally more efficient and faster than sidewheelers. However, the conversion of the CITY OF BUFFALO did not result in improved speed, leading to its reputation as “the slowest steam-craft on the lakes.”
HISTORY #
Construction and Early Service:
The CITY OF BUFFALO was built in 1857 by the shipbuilders Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York, for the Michigan Southern Railway Company of Detroit. At 331 feet in length and with a tonnage of 2,026, the vessel was one of the larger steamers on the Great Lakes at the time. It was designed to carry both passengers and freight, serving the busy routes between major ports on Lake Erie.
Conversion to Propeller Freighter:
In 1863-1864, the CITY OF BUFFALO was converted from a sidewheel steamer to a propeller freighter. The conversion was conducted by E.S. Prosser & Co. in Buffalo, New York. The goal of the conversion was likely to modernize the vessel and increase its efficiency as a cargo carrier. However, the conversion did not significantly improve the vessel’s speed, and it earned the unflattering nickname “the slowest steam-craft on the lakes.”
Tragic Fire and Destruction:
On July 30, 1866, tragedy struck the CITY OF BUFFALO while it was docked at the Sturgis Elevator in Buffalo Harbor. The ship was unloading a cargo of 72,000 bushels of oats when a fire broke out. The fire quickly spread, engulfing not only the vessel but also the elevator and several nearby businesses. The fire was later determined to be an act of arson, and the perpetrators were apprehended. The CITY OF BUFFALO was a total loss, with the ship itself valued at $80,000 and an additional $240,000 in damages to other properties.
Insurance and Aftermath:
The ship’s owner, E.S. Prosser, filed insurance claims for the loss of the vessel. The destruction of the CITY OF BUFFALO marked the end of its service on the Great Lakes, but the incident remains a notable event in the maritime history of the region.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The CITY OF BUFFALO was completely destroyed by fire on July 30, 1866, in Buffalo Harbor. The fire was an act of arson, and while the perpetrators were caught, the vessel was a total loss. The ship was valued at $80,000, with significant additional damage to the surrounding area.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the site where the CITY OF BUFFALO was destroyed. The incident took place at a dock in Buffalo Harbor, and the wreckage was likely cleared after the fire.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The CITY OF BUFFALO was destroyed at Sturgis Elevator in Buffalo Harbor on July 30, 1866. The exact remains of the ship, if any, are not publicly documented and may have been removed or buried during subsequent development of the harbor area.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
CONCLUSION #
The CITY OF BUFFALO was a significant vessel on the Great Lakes during its nearly decade-long service. Built as a sidewheel steamer and later converted to a propeller freighter, the ship played a vital role in passenger and freight transportation. However, its slow speed after conversion and its tragic end by fire in 1866 marked its place in history more for its demise than its service. The destruction of the CITY OF BUFFALO serves as a reminder of the hazards faced by vessels during the 19th century, not only from the elements but also from human actions.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Sidewheel Steamer, Propeller Freighter, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Buffalo NY, E.S. Prosser & Co., Michigan Southern Railway Company, Shipwreck Resilience, Maritime Arson
