History
The CITY OF MIDLAND was a propeller vessel built in 1890 by the Simpson Shipbuilding Company in Owen Sound, Ontario. It had a wooden hull and was originally constructed for the North Shore Navigation Company. The ship had two decks and measured approximately 176 feet in length, 28 feet in width, and 11 feet in depth. Its gross tonnage was 974 tons, and the net tonnage was 662 tons.
The propeller was powered by a 380-horsepower engine with two cylinders, and it had a single propeller. The engine, manufactured by the John Doty Engine Works in Toronto, Ontario, provided a speed of 85 revolutions per minute. The vessel was equipped with a 12-foot by 11-foot Scotch boiler that operated at a steam pressure of 127 pounds.
In November 1890, shortly after its launch, the CITY OF MIDLAND ran aground on the North Shore but was later released with the assistance of the steamer FAVORITE. The ship underwent a rebuild in 1893, which likely involved significant repairs or modifications to improve its performance or capacity.
Tragically, on March 17, 1916, the CITY OF MIDLAND was consumed by fire while docked at the Grand Trunk Railway dock in Collingwood, Ontario. The fire occurred during the winter lay-up period when the ship was being prepared for the upcoming season. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. The vessel was later raised from the water on June 12, 1916, and subsequently dismantled.
The CITY OF MIDLAND played a role in passenger and package freight transportation on Lake Huron, primarily serving the area around Midland, Ontario. Its loss in the fire was a significant event in the history of Great Lakes shipping, marking the end of the vessel’s service and contributing to the maritime heritage of the region.
