Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Metropolis
- Type: Sidewheel steamer
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Alvin A. Turner
- Dimensions: 168.3 ft (51.3 m); Beam 26.4 ft; Depth of hold 9.1 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 425.49 gross / 321.38 net
- Location: Toledo, Ohio (at dock on Maumee River)
- Official Number: 17608
- Original Owners: River & Lake Shore Steamboat Line; later owned by Montgomery, Sloan & Goldsmith
- Number of Masts: No masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Sidewheel steamer—passenger & freight
Configuration: Wooden hull, 2 decks, no masts
Engine: 37″ × 108″ vertical beam, 280 hp; engine transplanted from the steamer Pearl (built 1851)
Propulsion: Single screw? (Sidewheeler)
Description
The Metropolis was a classic 19th-century American sidewheel passenger-freight steamer. It featured a wooden hull and was equipped with two decks, designed for both passenger and freight transport.
History
Built in 1868, the Metropolis was enrolled in Detroit and initially operated on the Bay City–Alpena route. Over the years, it served various routes including Milwaukee, Duluth, and Chicago, while suffering mechanical and hull damage. The vessel underwent several rebuilds, including a significant overhaul in 1878 for excursion service and another in 1891 that included a new boiler.
Significant Incidents
- 1870-1874: Suffered mechanical and hull damage on various routes.
- 1884: Collided with the Third Street Bridge in Bay City.
- June 13, 1902: Burned at the dock in Toledo, resulting in total hull loss.
Final Disposition
The Metropolis burned at the dock on June 13, 1902, in Toledo, Ohio, with the fire destroying the vessel down to the waterline. No loss of life was recorded, and casualties were likely none.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is not submerged; the remains were burned in place, and no subsequent dive or wreck surveys have been conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”metropolis-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
The Metropolis served for 34 years, traversing routes through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. Its service ended abruptly due to a catastrophic dockside fire, marking the conclusion of its operational history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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