The steamship CITY OF VENICE met a tragic end due to a collision on August 4, 1902, off the coast of Rondeau, Ontario, in Lake Erie. The details of this incident, along with the vessel’s history, are as follows:
Built in 1892 by J. Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan, hull number 48, the CITY OF VENICE was a wooden propeller bulk freight vessel with dimensions of 301 feet in length, 43 feet in width, and 20 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 2108 and a net tonnage of 1771. The ship was owned by the McGraw Transportation Company from Bay City, Michigan.
On the fateful night of August 4, 1902, the CITY OF VENICE was carrying a cargo of iron ore and was en route to Buffalo. However, disaster struck when the vessel collided with the Canadian iron steamer SEGUIN amidships. Despite the collision occurring in clear weather and favorable conditions, the impact was devastating. The SEGUIN’s steel construction and momentum caused significant damage to the CITY OF VENICE, leaving a large hole below the waterline.
Tragically, three crew members lost their lives in the collision: Peter Simondson (fireman), Thomas Flanigan (deckhand), and George Weir (watchman). Additionally, several crew members sustained injuries. The shipwreck led to the sinking of the CITY OF VENICE, which went down rapidly in deep water, becoming a total loss.
The incident posed a significant threat to navigation, as the wreck lay directly in the main channel from Bar Point to Buffalo. The CITY OF VENICE obstructed this vital pathway, impeding the safe passage of vessels. The Canadian iron steamer SEGUIN, which had caused the collision, was impounded by the U.S. Marshal for the damages it had inflicted on the CITY OF VENICE.
The CITY OF VENICE’s loss highlighted the dangers and unpredictability of maritime travel, even under seemingly favorable conditions. The collision underscored the vulnerability of wooden vessels when encountering ships with greater structural integrity. The vessel’s sinking and subsequent obstruction of a crucial navigation route served as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of maritime accidents.
While the CITY OF VENICE could not be raised due to the challenging circumstances and costs involved, its story remains a somber chapter in maritime history. The collision and subsequent sinking of the vessel left a lasting impact on the crew, the shipping industry, and the waters of Lake Erie.
