The CITY OF LONDON was a wooden bulk freighter that met its demise in a tragic collision. Here are the key details of the vessel and its loss:
Construction and Specifications:
The CITY OF LONDON was built in 1891 by J. Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. The vessel had a length of 297 feet, a width of 41 feet, and a depth of 21 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 2005 and a net tonnage of 1675. Propelled by a triple expansion steam engine with three cylinders, it featured two boilers.
Ownership and Operations:
The vessel was initially owned by James Davidson of Bay City, Michigan. It operated as a bulk freighter, primarily transporting various cargoes, including wheat.
Loss of the CITY OF LONDON:
On September 30, 1913, tragedy struck when the CITY OF LONDON collided with the steel steamer JOSEPH S. MORROW in Pelee Passage, 1.5 miles southwest of Point Pelee in Lake Erie. The collision occurred in thick foggy conditions. The impact of the collision caused the CITY OF LONDON to sink, while the JOSEPH S. MORROW was beached to prevent it from sinking.
Thankfully, there was no loss of life in the incident. The crew of the CITY OF LONDON managed to escape the sinking vessel by taking to their lifeboats and were subsequently rescued by the steamer BRITON. The CITY OF LONDON was carrying a cargo of wheat at the time of the collision.
Aftermath and Salvage:
Following the collision, the machinery of the CITY OF LONDON was removed, and the hull of the vessel was subsequently dynamited due to the hazard it posed. The JOSEPH S. MORROW, which had collided with the CITY OF LONDON, was later recovered.
The loss of the CITY OF LONDON serves as a reminder of the risks faced by vessels navigating through foggy conditions. The collision resulted in the sinking of the vessel and the subsequent destruction of its hull, marking the end of its active service on Lake Erie.
