CITY OF SUPERIOR

Site Description

The propeller CITY OF SUPERIOR was a vessel that faced a tragic fate shortly after its construction. Operating as part of the Cleveland, Detroit & Lake Superior Line, the ship served as both a passenger and freight carrier on the Great Lakes. Here is a comprehensive article detailing the history and final loss of the CITY OF SUPERIOR:

Built in the bustling shipbuilding city of Cleveland, Ohio, in the year 1857, the CITY OF SUPERIOR was a propeller-driven vessel that embodied the promise and potential of maritime transportation. Constructed by Lafrinier & Stevenson under the ownership of Hanna, Garretson & Co., the ship was intended to serve the burgeoning trade routes and carry passengers and cargo across the Great Lakes. With dimensions measuring 190 feet in length, 29 feet in width, and 11 feet in depth, the vessel had a tonnage of 578, offering ample capacity for its role as a freighter.

Equipped with two high-pressure engines, each with a cylinder of 24 by 36 inches, and two screws, each measuring 8 feet 9 inches, the CITY OF SUPERIOR was primed for efficient propulsion through the waters. These engineering feats reflected the state-of-the-art technology of the time, illustrating the advancements made in maritime engineering and mechanics.

Despite its promising beginnings, the CITY OF SUPERIOR’s journey was tragically cut short. On the ill-fated day of November 11, 1857, disaster struck in the form of a fierce storm. The vessel found itself near the mouth of Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Point, battling not only the elements but also the blinding snow of a relentless blizzard. The storm’s ferocity obscured the ship’s path, leading it to run aground at full speed. The impact was catastrophic, tearing the ship’s bottom apart and rendering it helpless against the elements. Stranded and battered, the CITY OF SUPERIOR fell victim to the gale’s merciless force, breaking apart and sinking in the same night.

Despite the vessel’s tragic demise, there was a silver lining in the midst of the devastation. The majority of its valuable cargo, which included miscellaneous household goods and livestock, was salvaged, offering a small consolation in the face of the profound loss. Thankfully, there was no loss of life among the crew, emphasizing the resilience and seamanship of those who navigated the treacherous waters.

The master of the CITY OF SUPERIOR, Captain Spaulding, was at the helm during this unfortunate event. Owned by Hanna, Garretson & Co. of Cleveland, the vessel’s final chapter serves as a reminder of the risks that sailors and vessels faced in their quest to traverse the vast and unpredictable waters of Lake Superior.

Though the CITY OF SUPERIOR’s physical presence may have vanished beneath the waves, its story lives on as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of maritime endeavors during the 19th century. From its ambitious construction to its untimely end, the vessel’s history encapsulates the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of maritime exploration and trade on the Great Lakes.