History
The CITY OF BANGOR, a propeller steamship, was built in 1896 by F.W. Wheeler in West Bay City, Michigan. It had a steel hull and measured 438 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and 27 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 4,202 tons and a net tonnage of 3,058 tons, the CITY OF BANGOR was a sizable vessel designed for bulk freight transportation.
The ship had a long and eventful history. In 1897, it struck a boulder in the Canadian canal below Lock and sank at the Soo Locks. However, it was eventually lightered and released. In 1898, the CITY OF BANGOR ran aground on the Washington Street tunnel in Chicago and required the assistance of four tugs to free it.
In 1904, the ship underwent a significant rebuilding and lengthening, extending its length to 445.5 feet. It continued its operations in the Great Lakes region, primarily transporting various types of cargo. The CITY OF BANGOR was owned by different companies over the years, including the Eddy-Shaw Transportation Co., the Lake Transit Co., and the Nicholson Transit Co.
Unfortunately, on November 30, 1926, the CITY OF BANGOR met its tragic end near Washburn, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. While carrying a deck cargo of 230 automobiles, the ship encountered a severe storm. It was driven sideways onto the beach by powerful winds, resulting in the loss of the vessel. The crew managed to escape by small boat, but one or two lives may have been lost in the incident.
After the shipwreck, salvage efforts were made to recover the automobiles that were part of the cargo. Some of the vehicles were lost overboard, while others were driven ashore on an ice ramp. Those salvaged automobiles were later refurbished in Detroit. The wreck of the CITY OF BANGOR was eventually cut up in place during World War II scrap drives.
The CITY OF BANGOR’s story is one of the many maritime tales that highlight the challenges and risks faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes. It serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the bravery of sailors who braved treacherous conditions to transport goods across these vast inland waterways.
