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
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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.
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