Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: City of Duluth
- Type: Wooden Propeller (Passenger & Freight Steamer)
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Philander Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 202 ft (61.5 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth of hold: 13.1 ft (4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,110 tons
- Location: Near St. Joseph, Michigan
- Official Number: 125278
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type & Description
The City of Duluth was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, built in 1874 by Philander Lester in Marine City, Michigan. Designed for passenger and freight service, the vessel featured two decks and could accommodate up to 150 passengers alongside substantial cargo. With a length of 202 feet and a gross tonnage of 1,110, the City of Duluth was a mid-sized steamer, typical of the period’s vessels that balanced luxury passenger service with practical cargo transport.
Her single screw propulsion was powered by a for-and-aft compound engine, providing efficient power for long-distance routes across the Great Lakes. The vessel was constructed with steel arches during a rebuild in 1886, a structural reinforcement reflecting the growing need for durability amid the shifting demands of Great Lakes commerce.
Description
Description
The City of Duluth had a long and eventful career, serving on multiple Great Lakes routes and changing ownership several times.
History
History
The City of Duluth had a long and eventful career, serving on multiple Great Lakes routes and changing ownership several times.
Key Historical Milestones:
- 1874: Maiden voyage between Cleveland and Duluth.
- 1876: Operated by Ward’s Lake Superior Line, providing weekly service between Detroit and Lake Superior ports.
- 1886: Rebuilt at Buffalo, receiving steel arches and modifications to increase cargo and passenger capacity.
- 1888-1897: Experienced numerous groundings, collisions, and mechanical issues but continued to operate under various owners, including the Lake Michigan & Lake Superior Transportation Co..
Significant Incidents
Notable Incidents:
- 1884: Grounded at Copper Harbor, MI.
- 1889: Collided with the steamer Roanoke at Sault Ste. Marie, and later that year, with the Rufus P. Ranney.
- 1897: Involved in a collision with Mariska at the Sault Locks.
- Grounded multiple times in locations such as South Fox Island, Hay Lake Channel, and St. Joseph, MI.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The City of Duluth was removed by the wrecking schooner Judd in 1899. No significant parts of the wreck remain in situ, and the vessel was declared a total loss following the grounding and subsequent deterioration.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the wreck was intentionally removed, there is no known site of the City of Duluth remaining for exploration or diving purposes.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”city-of-duluth-us-125278″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The City of Duluth‘s 24-year career reflects the dynamic and perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation in the late 19th century. Built in 1874, the vessel served on various passenger and freight routes, enduring collisions, groundings, and rebuilds before her final grounding at St. Joseph in 1898. Her involvement in the tragic sinking of the Mary D. Ayer underscores the dangers of maritime travel during this era, especially under conditions of dense fog and poor visibility. Ultimately, the City of Duluth was removed and scrapped in 1899, but her story remains a significant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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