CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS C116955

Site Description #

History #

The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, a propeller vessel, was built in 1879 in Grand Haven, MI. This wooden-hulled vessel, with two decks, was primarily designed for passenger and package freight transportation. It was constructed by Duncan Robertson for its original owners, Hannah, Lay & Co. from Traverse City, MI. The propeller-driven vessel was equipped with a high-pressure engine produced by Ottawa Iron Works, Ferrysburg, MI. The engine featured a single cylinder with dimensions of 30 x 30″ and generated 350 horsepower at 96rpm. It also had a Johnston Bros. firebox boiler measuring 7′ 10/12″ x 161″.

The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS had a length of 125.6′, a beam of 26.4′, and a depth of 9.3′. It had a gross tonnage of 399 and a net tonnage of 300. Throughout its history, the vessel underwent changes in ownership and operated on various routes.

Tragedy struck the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS on October 29, 1907, when it burned at the dock in Tobermory, ultimately drifting free and sinking at Lions Head in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.

The vessel’s history dates back to its enrollment in Grand Haven on June 13, 1879, under the ownership of Hannah, Lay & Co. It operated on the Traverse City – St. Ignace route. In 1890, the vessel ran aground on Waugoshance reef, resulting in damage to its stern post and shoe. Oscar E. Wilbur of Charlevoix took ownership on May 31, 1893, continuing the same route. Ownership transferred to Jay Hursley of Sault Ste Marie on December 11, 1895, for service between Sault Ste Marie and Marquette.

Several incidents affected the vessel, including running ashore on Mackinac Island on April 28, 1897. It was later released by the wrecker FAVORITE and taken to Manitowoc for repairs. On June 1, 1897, ownership shifted to the South Haven & Chicago Transportation Co., and the vessel was enrolled in Chicago. It operated between St. Joseph and Chicago. In August 1899, the CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS experienced leaking en route to Milwaukee with 200 passengers on board but managed to reach South Haven safely.

Ownership changed hands once again on March 28, 1900, when Barry Bros. Transportation Co. of Chicago became the new owner. The vessel served the Chicago – Waukegan route. In 1901, the topside, bottom, and decks of the vessel were re-caulked. The engine was replaced in 1904 with a low-pressure 30 x 30″ engine and a 10 x 7 3/4′ firebox boiler, both produced by Great Lakes Engineering Works, Detroit.

The CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS went through additional ownership changes, being owned by Cleveland, Rondeau & Pt. Stanley Navigation Co. on April 7, 1905, and William G. Fitzgerald of Detroit on May 25, 1907. Finally, on September 7, 1907, the vessel was sold to Gillies & Rutherford of Tobermory, Ontario, Canada. However, its journey met its tragic end as it burned at the dock in Tobermory, ultimately sinking at Lions Head in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.

External links #

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships
• Maritime history of the Great Lakes
• 3D Model – 3D Shipwrecks

Shore Diving Etiquette #

Rules to Shore Dive by #

• Pick up after yourselves and others if need be
• Take only pictures, memories, and trash off the bottom
• Many shore dive sites are busiest on weekends so plan ahead
• Remember you’re the ambassador for the sport when approached by onlookers and locals. Paying attention and being polite can lead to other opportunities and locations.
• Have fun and lots of it after all that’s why you are there just like underwater beware of others around you for both positive and negative experiences
• If you’re the guy with the camera, video, or go pro, take a minute to show those outside your group what’s underneath.