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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: Metropolis
- Official Number: 17608
- Year Built: 1868, launched March 29 in Trenton, Michigan
- Final Loss Location: Toledo, Ohio (at dock on Maumee River)
- Date of Loss: June 13, 1902
- Cause of Loss: Burned at her dock; total hull loss, no casualties reported
- Wreck Status: Burned to waterline; identified as loss at dock (alcheminc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, paddlesteamers.info, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type & Description
- Type: Sidewheel steamer—passenger & freight
- Configuration: Wooden hull, 2 decks, no masts
- Dimensions: 168.3 ft × 26.4 ft × 9.1 ft
- Tonnage: 425.49 gross / 321.38 net
- Engine: 37″ × 108″ vertical beam, 280 hp; engine transplanted from the steamer Pearl (built 1851) (alcheminc.com, paddlesteamers.info)
- Propulsion: Single screw? (Sidewheeler)
- Builder: Alvin A. Turner
- Original Owner: River & Lake Shore Steamboat Line (Detroit); owned by Montgomery, Sloan & Goldsmith later (Midland Daily News, paddlesteamers.info)
Operational History
- 1868: Enrolled Detroit; operated Bay City–Alpena route
- 1870–1874: Operated varied routes—Milwaukee area, Duluth, Erie–Port Dover, Chicago–South Haven runs; suffered mechanical and hull damage along the way
- 1878: Rebuilt at Ashtabula for excursion service (68 passengers)
- 1881–1884: Continued passenger service; suffered multiple incidents (grounding, collisions) including collision with Third Street Bridge (Bay City) in 1884
- 1891: Rebuilt at Bay City; new boiler installed (200 psi) (paddlesteamers.info)
- 1895–1899: Owned by Peoples Steamboat Co. (Monroe), later by Charles West (Monroe) (libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu)
- ~1900–1902: Stationary at Toledo dock; documents surrendered June 30, 1902
Final Disposition
- Burned at the dock on June 13, 1902 in Toledo; fire destroyed the vessel down to the waterline (paddlesteamers.info)
- No loss of life recorded; casualties unknown—likely none
Located By & Date Found
- Wreck not submerged; remains burned in place
- No subsequent dive or wreck surveys
Sources & Archival Links
- Great Lakes shipwreck index (Alchem Inc.) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com)
- Great Lakes paddle steamer database (paddlesteamers.info)
- Travers Record-Eagle feature (“Misadventures Aboard the Metropolis”) (oldmission.net)
- Merchant Vessel List documentation
- NPS and HCGL archival sources
Conclusion
The Metropolis was a classic 19th-century American sidewheel passenger–freight steamer whose long service life traversed routes through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio. Built from a reused engine and reflecting frequent mid-life refits, she ultimately succumbed to a catastrophic dockside conflagration in Toledo, marking the end of her 34-year lifespan.
Keywords & Categories
- Region: Lake Erie (Toledo, OH)
- Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Material: Wood
- Cause of Loss: Dock fire
- Period: 1868–1902
- Engine Reuse: From Pearl
- Service: Passenger & freight, excursion craft