CITY OF GREEN BAY U91228

4 min read

Identification & Site Information #

Wreck Name: SS City of Green Bay
Original Name: M.C. Hawley
Wreck Type: Wooden Propeller Dredge Vessel
Official Number: 91228
Dimensions: 134 feet in length, 22.58 feet in beam, 7 feet in depth
Gross Tonnage: 208.77 tons
Net Tonnage: 142 tons
Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron (near “Whistler’s Point” or “Sandstone Point”)
Date of Loss: August 19, 1909

Vessel Type Description #

The SS City of Green Bay, originally named M.C. Hawley, was a wooden propeller dredge vessel constructed in 1880 by John Gregory in Fort Howard, Wisconsin. The ship was initially built as a sidewheeler before undergoing several modifications throughout its operational history, including a conversion to a propeller vessel in 1889 after being damaged by fire. The vessel was notable for its wooden hull, dual decks, and significant cargo capacity, making it a key player in dredging and transportation activities across the Great Lakes.

History #

The vessel that would become the City of Green Bay began its life as the M.C. Hawley, constructed in 1880. Designed initially as a sidewheeler, the ship was pivotal in dredging and navigation projects, particularly in the Wisconsin and Michigan areas. The vessel was named after Thomas Hawley of Green Bay, Wisconsin, who was one of its original owners, along with McCormick & Co.

In 1884, the vessel underwent its first significant transformation, receiving the new name City of Green Bay. This rebranding was a common practice among Great Lakes vessels as ownership and purposes evolved. However, a more substantial transformation occurred in 1889 when the ship was converted from a sidewheeler to a propeller vessel following a destructive fire on November 17, 1887, which left the ship as a total loss. The fire occurred in either Green Bay or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and marked a pivotal moment in the vessel’s history.

Following this conversion, the City of Green Bay continued to serve the Great Lakes, primarily focusing on dredging operations. By 1908, the vessel underwent another significant modification at Bay City, Michigan, where it was specifically converted into a dredge. The vessel’s dimensions were slightly altered during this time, and it continued its work until tragedy struck again.

On August 19, 1909, while crossing Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, the City of Green Bay caught fire once more. This time, the fire proved fatal for the ship, burning it down to the waterline before it sank. The exact location of the incident is somewhat disputed, with records mentioning “Whistler’s Point” or “Sandstone Point” as potential sites of the wreck. Despite the total loss of the vessel, fortunately, no lives were lost in this tragic event.

The final official record of the City of Green Bay was submitted at Port Huron, Michigan, on August 24, 1909, marked as “vessel lost.” This record officially closed the chapter on the ship’s nearly three-decade-long service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition #

The City of Green Bay now lies at the bottom of Lake Huron, its precise location remaining somewhat uncertain. The vessel’s remnants are likely scattered across the lakebed near Saginaw Bay, and while the exact coordinates are not commonly referenced in diving circles, the site marks the final resting place of a ship that witnessed significant transformations and challenges during its time.

NOTMARs & Advisories #

Current Status: The wreck site is noted in historical records but does not appear to be a commonly visited or well-documented dive site. Divers should exercise caution due to the uncertainty of the exact location and the potential hazards associated with wreck diving in Great Lakes waters.

Located By & Date #

Discovered: The wreck site has not been formally discovered or thoroughly explored in modern times, with historical records indicating the approximate location of the sinking.

Resources & Links #

Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society: Learn more about Great Lakes shipwrecks
Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Vessels Database: City of Green Bay Records
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Records

Conclusion #

The story of the City of Green Bay is a testament to the challenges faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally built as a sidewheeler and later converted into a propeller vessel and dredge, the ship’s history is marked by resilience and transformation. Despite surviving a devastating fire and multiple ownership changes, the City of Green Bay ultimately met its end in the waters of Lake Huron. The vessel’s story remains a poignant reminder of the perils of maritime life and the relentless forces of nature that have claimed so many ships on the Great Lakes.