Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: City of Grand Rapids
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller passenger and package freighter
- Year Built: 1879
- Builder: Duncan Robertson, Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 125.6 ft (38.3 m); Beam 26.4 ft (8.0 m); Depth 9.3 ft (2.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 399 GRT; 300 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 5 m / 15 ft
- Location: Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory, Ontario
- Coordinates: Approx. 45.257° N, 81.665° W
- Official Number: 125743
- Original Owners: Hannah, Lay & Co.; later Gillies & Rutherford (Tobermory)
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The City of Grand Rapids was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven passenger and package freight steamer with two decks.
Description
The City of Grand Rapids was originally powered by a high-pressure steam engine (350 hp), later replaced with a low-pressure engine and new boiler during a 1904 refit. Designed for Great Lakes passenger and freight service, she was well-suited for short to medium-haul routes, with robust construction typical of late 19th-century lake steamers.
History
Built in 1879 at Grand Haven, Michigan, the City of Grand Rapids entered service for Hannah, Lay & Co. of Traverse City. She ran passenger and freight routes linking Traverse City, St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, St. Joseph, and Chicago. The ship had a long career, though punctuated by several groundings and repair episodes.
She ran aground on Waugoshance Reef in 1890 and again ashore at Mackinac Island in 1897. In 1904, she underwent a major rebuild, replacing her steam plant with a new low-pressure engine and boiler. In May 1907, she was sold to Gillies & Rutherford of Tobermory, Ontario, to serve in Georgian Bay and northern Lake Huron.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Waugoshance Reef in 1890.
- Aground at Mackinac Island in 1897.
- Fire of unknown origin on 29 October 1907 while docked in Tobermory, leading to sinking.
Final Disposition
On 29 October 1907, while docked at Tobermory, a fire of unknown origin broke out aboard City of Grand Rapids. The vessel drifted burning into Big Tub Harbour, where she sank in 15 feet (5 m) of water. No casualties were reported, but the ship was a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was immediately known to locals following her 1907 sinking. It remains one of Tobermory’s most accessible dive sites and has been surveyed extensively by marine archaeologists and sport divers. The wreck is within a protected area (Fathom Five National Marine Park). Divers are required to respect preservation guidelines. Shallow depth makes the site accessible but subject to heavy visitation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”city-of-grand-rapids-us-c-125743″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a diver, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. The City of Grand Rapids serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of preserving such sites for future generations.
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.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: United States (later Canada)
Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled propeller passenger and package freighter
Builder: Duncan Robertson, Grand Haven, Michigan
Year Built: 1879
Dimensions: Length 125.6 ft (38.3 m); Beam 26.4 ft (8.0 m); Depth 9.3 ft (2.8 m)
Tonnage: 399 GRT; 300 NRT
Cargo on Final Voyage: None
Date of Loss: 29 October 1907
Location: Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory, Ontario (Lake Huron)
Coordinates: Approx. 45.257° N, 81.665° W
Depth: 15 ft (5 m)
Home Port: Traverse City, Michigan (initial)
Owners: Hannah, Lay & Co.; later Gillies & Rutherford (Tobermory)
Crew: Unknown (all escaped in 1907 fire)
Casualties: None
Description
The City of Grand Rapids was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven passenger and package freight steamer with two decks. She was originally powered by a high-pressure steam engine (350 hp), later replaced with a low-pressure engine and new boiler (1904 refit). Designed for Great Lakes passenger and freight service, she was well-suited for short to medium-haul routes, with robust construction typical of late 19th-century lake steamers.
History
Built in 1879 at Grand Haven, Michigan, the City of Grand Rapids entered service for Hannah, Lay & Co. of Traverse City. She ran passenger and freight routes linking Traverse City, St. Ignace, Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, St. Joseph, and Chicago. The ship had a long career, though punctuated by several groundings and repair episodes.
She ran aground on Waugoshance Reef in 1890 and again ashore at Mackinac Island in 1897. In 1904, she underwent a major rebuild, replacing her steam plant with a new low-pressure engine and boiler. In May 1907, she was sold to Gillies & Rutherford of Tobermory, Ontario, to serve in Georgian Bay and northern Lake Huron.
Final Dispositions
On 29 October 1907, while docked at Tobermory, a fire of unknown origin broke out aboard City of Grand Rapids. The vessel drifted burning into Big Tub Harbour, where she sank in 15 feet (5 m) of water. No casualties were reported, but the ship was a total loss.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was immediately known to locals following her 1907 sinking. It remains one of Tobermory’s most accessible dive sites and has been surveyed extensively by marine archaeologists and sport divers.
Notmars & Advisories
The wreck is within a protected area (Fathom Five National Marine Park). Divers are required to respect preservation guidelines. Shallow depth makes the site accessible but subject to heavy visitation.
Dive Information
Access: Shore and boat (Big Tub Harbour)
Entry Point: Tobermory harbor access
Conditions: Clear water, high visibility, light currents
Depth Range: 10–20 ft (3–6 m)
Emergency Contacts: Canadian Coast Guard, Parks Canada Fathom Five office
Permits: Required via Parks Canada (National Marine Park)
Dive Support: Tobermory dive charters and shops
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No lives lost. No crew memorials recorded. Vessel commemorated locally as part of Tobermory’s shipwreck heritage.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“On October 29, 1907, tragedy struck while the vessel was docked in Tobermory. A fire of unknown origin engulfed the ship… the City of Grand Rapids was destroyed. The burning vessel drifted free and eventually sank in Big Tub Harbour, where it remains to this day.” — BGSU HCGL Vessels Database
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official U.S. enrollment records list City of Grand Rapids under Hannah, Lay & Co. (1879–1907). Later Canadian ownership by Gillies & Rutherford was short-lived before her loss. Insurance files not digitized; further research in Canadian archives may yield claim documentation.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The wreck has been extensively photographed and filmed. It is also available as a full 3D photogrammetry model at 3DShipwrecks.org. The site is one of the most accessible and documented shipwrecks in the Fathom Five Marine Park.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- GreatLakesShips.org
- 3D Shipwrecks Project – City of Grand Rapids
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
References
- Bowling Green State University Historical Collections of the Great Lakes – City of Grand Rapids
- 3DShipwrecks.org – City of Grand Rapids model
- Great Lakes Ships database
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: ~45.257° N, 81.665° W
Depth: 5 m (15 ft)
Location Description: Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory, Ontario
Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 125.6 ft x 26.4 ft x 9.3 ft; 399 GRT
Condition: Intact, shallow, accessible
Cause of Loss: Fire (cause unknown)
Discovery Date: 1907 (immediately observed)
Discovered By: Local residents
Method: Fire and sinking witnessed
Legal Notes: Protected within Fathom Five National Marine Park
Hazards: None significant; shallow wreck visited by divers
Permits Required: Yes, Parks Canada diving guidelines