Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: City of Detroit
- Type: Propeller Steamship
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 167 ft (51 m); Beam: 27.7 ft (8.4 m); Depth of hold: 12.1 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 652 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 65 m / 200 ft
- Location: Port Austin, Michigan, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Approximate location in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: US 4378
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The City of Detroit was a propeller steamship designed for both passenger and freight transport on the Great Lakes. Propeller steamships were the workhorses of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, known for their versatility and capability to navigate the often treacherous waters of the region. The vessel, built in 1866 in Marine City, Michigan, was powered by a high-pressure steam engine and played a crucial role in connecting various ports across the lakes.
Description
The City of Detroit had a relatively short but impactful service life on the Great Lakes. Built in 1866, it operated primarily as a passenger and freight carrier, transporting goods and people across the busy trade routes of the lakes. On December 4, 1873, the City of Detroit met its tragic end during a severe storm in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
At the time of the disaster, the City of Detroit was towing the barge Guiding Star, which was loaded with 24,000 bushels of wheat. The steamship itself was carrying 8,000 bushels of wheat and additional rolling freight. As the storm intensified, the propeller became disabled, leaving it unable to maintain control over the barge. In a desperate bid for survival, the crew cut the barge loose and attempted to save themselves.
Captain Morris Barrett and seven crew members from the Guiding Star managed to reach Port Elgin, Ontario, in a yawl boat, though they suffered severe frostbite, with their feet being fully frozen. Captain Barrett reported seeing three members of the City of Detroit‘s crew in a yawl boat and another individual in a separate boat. Unfortunately, it is believed that the remaining crew members, totaling 19, went down with the ship when it sank in Saginaw Bay.
The loss of the City of Detroit was one of the worst maritime disasters in the history of Saginaw Bay, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the Great Lakes, particularly during winter storms. The sinking was attributed to the extreme weather conditions and the disabling of the ship’s machinery, which left it vulnerable to the elements.
History
The wreck of the City of Detroit lies in approximately 65 meters (200 feet) of water near Port Austin, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The site serves as a somber reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on that stormy December day. While the exact location of the wreck is not fully detailed, its depth and historical significance make it a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.
Significant Incidents
- December 4, 1873: The City of Detroit sank during a severe storm in Saginaw Bay, resulting in the loss of 19 lives.
Final Disposition
The sinking of the City of Detroit remains one of the most tragic maritime events in Saginaw Bay’s history. The loss of 19 lives and the ship itself serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of lake navigation during the 19th century. The wreck, now lying deep beneath the waters of Lake Huron, continues to tell the story of a vessel that was once a vital part of the Great Lakes’ shipping industry.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The approximate location of the City of Detroit wreck is in Saginaw Bay, near Port Austin, Michigan, at a depth of 65 meters (200 feet). Further research and exploration may yield more detailed information about the wreck’s condition and exact coordinates.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”city-of-detroit-us-4378″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the City of Detroit serves as a historical site for divers and maritime enthusiasts, highlighting the importance of preserving the stories of those who navigated the Great Lakes.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
SITE DESCRIPTION
- Vessel Name: City of Detroit
- Vessel Type: Propeller Steamship
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 51 meters (167 feet), Beam: 8.4 meters (27.7 feet), Depth: 3.7 meters (12.1 feet)
- Gross Tonnage: 652 tons
- Propulsion: High-pressure steam engine
- Wreck Location: Port Austin, Michigan, Lake Huron
- Depth: 65 meters (200 feet)
- Coordinates: Approximate location in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The City of Detroit was a propeller steamship designed for both passenger and freight transport on the Great Lakes. Propeller steamships were the workhorses of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, known for their versatility and capability to navigate the often treacherous waters of the region. The vessel, built in 1866 in Marine City, Michigan, was powered by a high-pressure steam engine and played a crucial role in connecting various ports across the lakes.
HISTORY
The City of Detroit had a relatively short but impactful service life on the Great Lakes. Built in 1866, it operated primarily as a passenger and freight carrier, transporting goods and people across the busy trade routes of the lakes. On December 4, 1873, the City of Detroit met its tragic end during a severe storm in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
At the time of the disaster, the City of Detroit was towing the barge Guiding Star, which was loaded with 24,000 bushels of wheat. The steamship itself was carrying 8,000 bushels of wheat and additional rolling freight. As the storm intensified, the propeller became disabled, leaving it unable to maintain control over the barge. In a desperate bid for survival, the crew cut the barge loose and attempted to save themselves.
Captain Morris Barrett and seven crew members from the Guiding Star managed to reach Port Elgin, Ontario, in a yawl boat, though they suffered severe frostbite, with their feet being fully frozen. Captain Barrett reported seeing three members of the City of Detroit‘s crew in a yawl boat and another individual in a separate boat. Unfortunately, it is believed that the remaining crew members, totaling 19, went down with the ship when it sank in Saginaw Bay.
The loss of the City of Detroit was one of the worst maritime disasters in the history of Saginaw Bay, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the Great Lakes, particularly during winter storms. The sinking was attributed to the extreme weather conditions and the disabling of the ship’s machinery, which left it vulnerable to the elements.
CURRENT CONDITION
The wreck of the City of Detroit lies in approximately 65 meters (200 feet) of water near Port Austin, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The site serves as a somber reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on that stormy December day. While the exact location of the wreck is not fully detailed, its depth and historical significance make it a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University Archives: Bowling Green State University
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
- 3D Shipwrecks 3D Model: 3D Shipwrecks
3D Model – City of Detroit
CONCLUSION
The sinking of the City of Detroit remains one of the most tragic maritime events in Saginaw Bay’s history. The loss of 19 lives and the ship itself serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of lake navigation during the 19th century. The wreck, now lying deep beneath the waters of Lake Huron, continues to tell the story of a vessel that was once a vital part of the Great Lakes’ shipping industry.
KEYWORDS
- City of Detroit steamship
- Saginaw Bay shipwreck
- Port Austin Michigan
- Lake Huron maritime history
- 19th-century steamship
- Great Lakes storm
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO
The approximate location of the City of Detroit wreck is in Saginaw Bay, near Port Austin, Michigan, at a depth of 65 meters (200 feet). Further research and exploration may yield more detailed information about the wreck’s condition and exact coordinates.
The propeller CITY OF DETROIT was a vessel that met a tragic fate in Saginaw Bay on December 4, 1873. The ship, with a total of 26 persons on board, including crew and passengers, sank during a severe storm. The CITY OF DETROIT was towing the barge GUIDING STAR, laden with 24,000 bushels of wheat, while the propeller itself carried 8,000 bushels of wheat and additional rolling freight. city-of-detroit-us-4378 1873-12-04 07:49:00