Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The Berlin City was a wooden sidewheel steamer, a type of vessel that utilized large paddle wheels on either side for propulsion. Sidewheel steamers were common on the inland lakes and rivers of North America during the 19th century, where they served as an essential means of transporting passengers and cargo. The Berlin City featured two decks and was constructed primarily from wood, typical of vessels from this era.
History #
The Berlin City was launched in 1856 by Phelps, Ruddock & Co. in Berlin, Wisconsin. The steamer was initially enrolled in Mackinac from 1856 to 1858, indicating its early operations involved routes connected to the Great Lakes. However, the Berlin City is most notably associated with operations on the Fox River and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin.
A tragic incident marred the vessel’s history on July 2, 1857, when the Berlin City was involved in a race with another steamer, the Pearl. The competitive spirit of the race ended in disaster when the Pearl’s boiler exploded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Lake Winnebago. The explosion resulted in the loss of four lives, highlighting the dangers associated with the intense rivalry and the limitations of steam technology at the time.
On July 8, 1861, the Berlin City experienced another setback when it stranded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on the Fox River. Unfortunately, records do not provide further details about this stranding, but it likely caused delays and required repairs.
The final chapter in the Berlin City’s history came on November 24, 1870, when the vessel was destroyed by fire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The fire, which completely consumed the steamer, marked the end of its service. Fortunately, there were no fatalities associated with this incident. At the time of the fire, the Berlin City was owned by Morse & Paige of Oshkosh.
Final Disposition #
The Berlin City met its end on November 24, 1870, when it was destroyed by fire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The exact cause of the fire is not documented, but such incidents were common in wooden vessels of the time, particularly those using steam power. The destruction by fire was final, and no efforts to rebuild or salvage the vessel are recorded.
NOTMARs & Advisories #
- Current Status: The wreck of the Berlin City is not considered a navigational hazard today. Given the vessel’s complete destruction by fire and subsequent abandonment, there are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning this wreck.
Located By & Date #
- Discovery: The remains of the Berlin City were not preserved, and its exact location after the fire is not documented. The vessel’s destruction by fire in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on the Fox River likely resulted in its complete loss.
Resources & Links #
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Swayze Shipwreck File
- Wisconsin’s Shipwrecks: Wisconsin Shipwrecks
Conclusion #
The Berlin City serves as an example of the dynamic yet perilous nature of 19th-century steamboat operations in the Great Lakes region and its connected waterways. With a history marked by a tragic racing incident, a stranding, and ultimately a destructive fire, the Berlin City had a brief but eventful existence. The vessel’s destruction in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a reminder of the ever-present dangers faced by steam-powered vessels and the communities that relied on them.
Keywords: #
- Berlin City Steamer
- Sidewheel Steamer
- Lake Winnebago Steamboat
- Fox River Navigation
- 19th Century Shipwreck
- Oshkosh Ship Fire
- Morse & Paige Ownership
- Great Lakes Maritime History
- Steamboat Race Incident
- Wisconsin Shipwreck History
The Berlin City’s story contributes to the rich maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes, encapsulating the risks and advancements of steam navigation during a pivotal era of American industrial expansion.