IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven steamer built in 1879, designed for passenger and package freight service. With two decks and a robust engine, the vessel was well-suited to navigate the Great Lakes’ challenging conditions. The vessel’s engine, produced by Ottawa Iron Works, was a high-pressure, single-cylinder type that generated 350 horsepower, which powered the ship through its various routes.
HISTORY #
The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS had a dynamic service history, marked by changes in ownership and several incidents throughout its operational life. Originally constructed for Hannah, Lay & Co. in Traverse City, MI, the vessel served the Traverse City to St. Ignace route after its enrollment on June 13, 1879. Over the years, the vessel was owned by various entities, including Oscar E. Wilbur of Charlevoix, Jay Hursley of Sault Ste Marie, and the South Haven & Chicago Transportation Co.
The steamer faced several challenges, including running aground on Waugoshance reef in 1890 and experiencing leaks en route to Milwaukee in 1899. Despite these incidents, the vessel remained in service, undergoing repairs and ownership changes. In 1901, the vessel’s topside, bottom, and decks were re-caulked, and in 1904, its engine was replaced with a low-pressure engine from Great Lakes Engineering Works in Detroit.
By 1907, the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS had been sold to Gillies & Rutherford of Tobermory, Ontario, Canada. However, its long journey came to a tragic end on October 29, 1907, when the vessel burned at the dock in Tobermory and eventually drifted free, sinking at Lions Head in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS met its fate on October 29, 1907, when it caught fire while docked in Tobermory. The vessel drifted free from the dock and sank in Lions Head, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The wreck now rests in Big Tub Harbour, where it lies submerged in 15 feet of water, a silent witness to the steamer’s storied past.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS is located in Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory, Lake Huron. The wreck has been known for many years and is a popular site for divers exploring the area’s rich maritime history.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
- Obstruction: The wreck lies in shallow water at a depth of 15 feet, making it accessible to divers but a potential hazard to small craft navigation. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in Big Tub Harbour.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Vessels
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- 3D Shipwrecks: 3D Model – CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS
CONCLUSION #
The wreck of the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS serves as a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by steamboats on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the wreck is a popular dive site in Tobermory, offering a glimpse into the past and preserving the legacy of this once-proud steamer.
KEYWORDS #
- CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, Steamer, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory, Lake Huron, Maritime History, Shipwreck Diving, Great Lakes Vessels, 19th Century Steamers, Wooden Hulled Ships
This report provides a detailed overview of the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, from its construction and operational history to its final resting place in Big Tub Harbour. The wreck remains an important site for both historical study and recreational diving.
