IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
Other Names: CITY OF ROCHESTER
Vessel Type: Barkentine
Built: 1853 by Hosea Rogers, Ogdensburg, New York
Dimensions:
- Length: 134.1 feet
- Beam: 25.3 feet
- Depth: 10.5 feet
Tonnage: 340 tons (old measurement system)
Home Port: Ogdensburg, New York
Service Area: Great Lakes, primarily Lake Erie
Primary Use: Cargo transport
Final Disposition: Destroyed by fire on November 17, 1882, in Toledo, Ohio
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CITY was originally built as a barkentine, a type of sailing vessel with three masts, typically rigged with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails on the remaining masts. Barkentines were commonly used for cargo transport and were valued for their versatility and efficiency, especially on the Great Lakes where they could navigate with ease. The CITY, constructed primarily of wood, was a typical example of this vessel type, serving the bustling trade routes of the mid-19th century.
HISTORY #
The Construction and Early Years:
The CITY was launched in 1853 in Ogdensburg, New York, by shipbuilder Hosea Rogers. Measuring 134.1 feet in length, 25.3 feet in beam, and 10.5 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 340 (old style), the vessel was initially enrolled in the Oswegatchie District. The CITY was designed to meet the demands of cargo transport on the Great Lakes, and its wooden construction was typical of the period.
Notable Incidents and Ownership Changes:
The early years of the CITY were marked by several incidents and ownership changes. Shortly after its construction, in November 1853, the vessel foundered near Sandusky, Ohio, but was successfully raised and returned to service. In 1854, while docked in Chicago, the barkantine was struck by lightning, which damaged all three of its masts. In May 1855, the CITY stranded near Blake Island, close to Bois Blanc Island in Lake Michigan, further challenging its durability.
The vessel’s ownership changed multiple times throughout its service life. From 1860 to 1865, the CITY was known as the “CITY OF ROCHESTER” and was owned by E.B. Allen & Son of Ogdensburg. During this period, the vessel sank after a collision with the steamer ONTARIO in October 1860 but was raised, repaired, and re-rigged. In 1865, the CITY was involved in a collision in Toronto, Ontario, causing additional damage.
In subsequent years, the CITY was owned by various parties, including R.K. & H.C. Winslow of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866, the Turtons of Cleveland in 1871, and Rankin & Wilson of Detroit, Michigan, from 1876 to 1879. The vessel’s final owner was Brown of Cleveland in 1882.
Tragic Loss by Fire:
On November 17, 1882, the CITY met its tragic end when a fire broke out aboard the vessel while it was anchored just below Ash Street in Toledo, Ohio. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire ship despite efforts by the local fire department to save it. Remarkably, no lives were lost in the incident. At the time of the fire, the CITY had recently been purchased and was laid up for a planned rebuild during the following winter. The total destruction of the vessel marked the end of its long and eventful career on the Great Lakes.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The CITY was completely destroyed by fire on November 17, 1882, while anchored in Toledo, Ohio. The vessel, which had recently been purchased and was awaiting a rebuild, was reduced to ashes by the blaze. The loss of the CITY was a significant event, particularly given its long service history and numerous incidents over the years.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no currently active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck site of the CITY. The vessel was destroyed by fire, and it is unlikely that any substantial remains are present today.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The CITY was destroyed by fire in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882. The wreck was not submerged, and therefore no underwater remains are likely to be found. The site of the fire is likely to have been reclaimed by industrial or urban development.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
CONCLUSION #
The CITY, later known as the CITY OF ROCHESTER, had a storied career on the Great Lakes, marked by numerous incidents, ownership changes, and challenges. Built in 1853, the vessel served for nearly three decades, navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes and enduring the risks inherent in maritime trade during the 19th century. Its ultimate destruction by fire in 1882 brought an end to a vessel that had seen both prosperity and adversity. The CITY’s legacy is a reminder of the resilience required to operate on the Great Lakes and the ever-present dangers that ships and their crews faced.
Keywords:
Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Barkentine, Lake Erie, 19th Century Shipping, Shipwreck Resilience, Ogdensburg NY, Toledo OH, E.B. Allen & Son, R.K. & H.C. Winslow
