Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nyack
- Type: Wooden-hulled passenger and freight propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1878
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: Length: 231 ft (70.4 m); Beam: 33 ft (10.1 m); Depth of hold: 14.7 ft (4.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,254.35 tons
- Location: Jackson Harbor, Washington Island, WI
- Official Number: 130125
- Original Owners: Union Steamboat Co., various subsequent owners
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled passenger and freight propeller steamer.
Description
The Nyack was launched in 1878 as a high-capacity wooden propeller steamer built for service across Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan. Originally operated by the Union Steamboat Co., she served under various charters and owners throughout her career, including major lines like the Northern Steamship Line and Lake Superior Transit Line. Her robust design supported both passenger and freight transport, often accommodating routes from Buffalo to Duluth and later from Milwaukee to Muskegon and Chicago.
History
Over her decades-long service life, Nyack endured multiple strandings, rebuilds, and ownership transfers. Key incidents include:
- 1883: Went ashore at Traverse Island
- 1894: Grounded in Sheboygan with 412 passengers
- 1901 & 1906–10: Underwent significant rebuilds, including new boiler and superstructure
- 1912: Hosted Titanic memorial for owner Edward G. Crosby
By 1915, she was undergoing winter overhaul at Muskegon, MI. On 30 December 1915, a fire broke out aboard while she was docked. The vessel was gutted and declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- 1883: Went ashore at Traverse Island
- 1894: Grounded in Sheboygan with 412 passengers
- 1901 & 1906–10: Underwent significant rebuilds, including new boiler and superstructure
- 1912: Hosted Titanic memorial for owner Edward G. Crosby
- 30 December 1915: Fire broke out while docked, leading to total loss
Final Disposition
After the 1915 fire, Nyack was rebuilt during winter 1917–1918 as a barge by Riebold & Wolter in Sturgeon Bay, WI. She was used under several new owners until being officially abandoned in February 1933 at Jackson Harbor, Washington Island, on Lake Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The final remains of Nyack as a barge have not been located or confirmed. Any surviving structure would have deteriorated or been scrapped post-abandonment. Her last documented presence is in Jackson Harbor, WI.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nyack-us-130125″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Nyack (1878) is a key example of late 19th-century Great Lakes passenger-freight hybrids. Her eventful service, marked by mechanical innovation and public prominence, ended with a significant dockside fire during winter layup. Rebuilt as a barge, she remained active for nearly two more decades. This detailed profile corrects the original “fire loss” misunderstanding and outlines her complete lifecycle.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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