IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The City of Cleveland III was a steel-hulled sidewheel steamer, designed and built in 1907 for passenger service on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers like the City of Cleveland III were iconic vessels during the early 20th century, known for their distinctive paddle wheels mounted on either side of the hull. These vessels were capable of carrying large numbers of passengers and were a common sight on the lakes, providing both transportation and leisure cruises.
HISTORY #
The City of Cleveland III was originally launched as the City of Cleveland in 1907 by Detroit Shipbuilding in Wyandotte, Michigan. The vessel measured 390 feet in length, 54 feet in beam, and 23 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 4,568 tons. It was a significant passenger vessel, serving routes on the Great Lakes and becoming a staple of regional transportation.
On June 25, 1950, tragedy struck when the City of Cleveland III collided with the Norwegian steamer Ravnefjell in dense fog off Harbor Beach, Michigan. The collision occurred on the port side paddle wheel of the City of Cleveland III, causing severe structural damage. The impact tragically resulted in the deaths of three passengers, with one person going missing and presumed drowned. Additionally, 20 more passengers sustained injuries during the incident.
Rescue operations were swiftly carried out by the boats of both the City of Cleveland III and Ravnefjell, along with a Coast Guard lifeboat. These efforts successfully rescued several passengers who had been thrown into Lake Huron due to the collision. The subsequent board of inquiry found that the City of Cleveland III was six miles off course and traveling at high speed in dense fog when the accident occurred.
Although the damage to the City of Cleveland III was confined above the waterline, the extent of the structural damage led to the vessel being declared a constructive total loss. The ship was partially dismantled during attempts to convert it into a towbarge. However, a fire broke out during the cutting-down process, further damaging the vessel. The City of Cleveland III was ultimately dismantled and scrapped by 1956.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The City of Cleveland III was declared a constructive total loss following its collision with the Ravnefjell in 1950. The vessel was partially dismantled during conversion efforts and suffered further damage due to a fire. It was ultimately scrapped between 1954 and 1956.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The City of Cleveland III was not submerged; its remains were dismantled and scrapped. The collision occurred off Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the City of Cleveland III. The incident serves as a historical reminder of the dangers of navigating in foggy conditions on the Great Lakes.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Bowling Green State University Archives: Bowling Green State University
CONCLUSION #
The tragic fate of the City of Cleveland III underscores the hazards of maritime navigation in dense fog, particularly on the busy routes of the Great Lakes. The vessel, which began its life as a proud sidewheel steamer, met an unfortunate end due to a navigational error that resulted in a fatal collision. The story of the City of Cleveland III serves as a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes transportation, marking the end of an era for these grand steamers.
KEYWORDS #
- City of Cleveland III
- Sidewheel steamer
- Lake Huron collision
- Harbor Beach Michigan
- Great Lakes maritime history
- 20th-century steamship
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
The City of Cleveland III collided with the Ravnefjell off Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The vessel did not sink but was declared a constructive total loss and subsequently dismantled. No specific wreck site coordinates are applicable as the remains were scrapped.
