FOREST CITY

Site Description

Steamer
60 – 150ffw 20 – 50m
212ft Length
Bear’s Rump Island, Lake Huron

The Forest City, a bulk freighter, was constructed in 1870 in Cleveland, Ohio. This wooden vessel was built by Peck & Masters, with Elihu M. Peck serving as the master carpenter. Originally owned by the Northwestern Transportation Co. in Detroit, Michigan, the Forest City played a significant role in the transportation of bulk goods.

Featuring a single deck, the Forest City had three masts and impressive hull dimensions. It measured 216.7 feet in length, 32.5 feet in beam, and had a depth of 13.8 feet. With a gross tonnage of 743.13, it had a capacity of 1,300 tons, making it a capable vessel for carrying various types of bulk cargo.

Tragically, the Forest City met its final fate on June 5, 1904, in Lake Huron, Georgian Bay. In dense fog, the ship ran into Bears Rump Island near Tobermory, Ontario. The crew was fortunately rescued by the tug JOE MILTON. Today, the wreck of the Forest City lies in the depths of Lake Huron, serving as a reminder of its storied history and the challenges faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes.

Throughout its history, the Forest City had several notable moments. In 1870, it was designated as a consort to the bulk freight steamer R. J. HACKET, pioneering the system of towing consorts on the Great Lakes. In 1871, it was towed by the COLIN CAMPBELL, and later that year, it encountered a grounding incident at St. Clair flats. In 1872, the Forest City was converted into a screw steamer, equipped with a steeple compound engine and firebox boilers. It often operated in tandem with the barge BRUNETTE. The vessel experienced further incidents, including groundings and collisions, throughout the years.

The Forest City underwent various repairs and alterations over its lifespan. In 1881, it was chartered by the North Chicago Rolling Mill Co., carrying iron ore from Escanaba to South Chicago. In 1883, it ran aground in the St. Mary’s River but was successfully released. Rebuilding efforts took place in 1881 and resulted in a two-deck vessel with three masts and modified dimensions.

As time passed, ownership of the Forest City changed hands. In 1892, it came under the ownership of the Vulcan Transportation Co. in Detroit, Michigan, and towed the vessel WILLIAM MCGREGOR. By 1899, the Forest City’s dimensions and tonnage had undergone further modifications.

Ultimately, the Forest City met its tragic end in 1904, adding to the long list of maritime incidents that have occurred in the treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. The wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by sailors and the unforgiving nature of the region’s unpredictable weather and navigational hazards.