Site Description #
- Barge
- 20ffw 6m
- 295ft Length
- Hope Island, Georgian Bay
The Michigan, a car ferry also known as a rail ferry, was constructed in 1890 at West Bay City, Michigan. Made of steel, the vessel had a single deck and was built by F.W. Wheeler. The original owner of the Michigan was the Canadian Pacific Railway Co.
Powered by sidewheels, the Michigan was equipped with horizontal locomotive engines with two cylinders and four scotch boilers. The engines, manufactured by Hodge & Co. in Detroit, Michigan in 1891, had dimensions of 50 inches by 114 inches and provided 2000 horsepower at 20 revolutions per minute. The scotch boilers, producing 80 pounds of steam, were constructed by Erie Boiler Works in Buffalo, New York.
Measuring 296.5 feet in length, 41.3 feet in beam, and 15.6 feet in depth, the Michigan had a gross tonnage of 1796 and a net tonnage of 1354.
Sadly, the Michigan met its final fate on November 4, 1943, when it sank northwest of Hope Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. While in the process of removing grain from the steamer Riverton, the Michigan was driven ashore, broke in two, and ultimately sank. The final cargo on board was grain.
Throughout its history, the Michigan underwent several ownership changes and transformations. In 1899, ownership transferred to the Canadian Pacific Rail Road Co. in London, Ontario. By 1916, the Michigan was retired as a car ferry and in 1926, it was rebuilt as a bulk freighter barge. The rebuilt vessel had dimensions of 296.5 feet by 41.3 feet by 15.6 feet and a gross tonnage of 1796. Ownership shifted to Newaygo Co, Ltd. in Port Arthur, Ontario. In 1930, the Michigan came under the ownership of Newaygo Tug Line Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, with the home port being Port Arthur, Ontario. At this time, the vessel’s dimensions were recorded as 297 feet by 41 feet by 15 feet, with a gross tonnage of 1396. In 1933, ownership changed hands again, this time to John Harrison & Sons, Ltd. in Owen Sound, Ontario.
However, the Michigan’s final chapter unfolded tragically in 1943 during a severe gale. While lightening grain from the Canadian steamer Riverton, the Michigan was driven onto a shoal, resulting in its sinking in Lake Huron.
