IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The City of New York was a wooden-hulled steambarge powered by a single high-pressure engine generating 425 horsepower. With two decks, the vessel was built to handle various cargoes, including coal, lumber, and other bulk goods, on the Great Lakes. It was designed for both power and capacity, typical of the propeller-driven steamers of its era.
HISTORY #
The City of New York had a long and eventful career, marked by multiple incidents and ownership changes. Originally built in 1863 by Stephens & Presley in Cleveland, Ohio, the vessel began its service under the ownership of the Northern Transport Co. of Cleveland. Over its nearly six decades of operation, the steambarge changed hands numerous times, with owners including Philo Chamberlain, the Northern Transportation Co., A.E. Shepard, E.L. Thompson, Frank Boden, the Chicago Lumber Co., Thom. Currie, George Wilkinson, George Plunkett, Murray Brown, and the Lake Shore Sand & Gravel Co.
Throughout its history, the City of New York experienced various accidents and reconstructions. Notable incidents include:
- Foundering off Sand Beach, Michigan, in November 1876: The vessel was heavily damaged but was later recovered.
- Collision with the schooner America on Lake Superior: Resulted in significant damage.
- Sinking after striking a dock in Chicago and being hit by the propeller Cumberland.
The vessel was rebuilt and adapted several times, reflecting the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping and the vessel’s resilience despite repeated setbacks.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
On November 25, 1921, the City of New York met its tragic end. The vessel foundered in a gale off Main Duck Island in Lake Ontario while carrying 500 tons of coal. It is believed that a collision with the schooner Oliver Mowat may have contributed to the sinking. Sadly, all eight crew members aboard the City of New York lost their lives in the incident.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the City of New York was rediscovered in 2019 by Sonar Guys. The wreck was found south of Main Duck Island at the coordinates 43.76°N, -76.54°W, offering a tangible connection to its historical past.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the City of New York.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- www.sonarguy.com: The team responsible for the 2019 rediscovery of the wreck.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
