Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Tourist
- Type: Sternwheel steam excursion vessel
- Year Built: 1897
- Builder: W. D. Preston, St. Joseph, MI
- Dimensions: 87 × 17 × 4 ft; 66 gross tons
- Registered Tonnage: 66
- Location: Riverdale, Calumet River, Chicago, IL
- Official Number: 145742
- Original Owners: South Shore Steamship Company, Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Sternwheel steam excursion vessel
Description
The Tourist was a dedicated excursion steamer that carried passengers on pleasure cruises along the south shore of Lake Michigan, likely between Chicago and nearby resort areas such as Burnham or Riverdale.
History
Built in 1897 by W. D. Preston in St. Joseph, MI, the Tourist was part of the early 1900s boom in leisure lake travel facilitated by steam-powered sternwheelers. Her operational role was primarily focused on providing recreational cruises for tourists.
Significant Incidents
- Incident: Caught fire in the engine room while tied up at Riverdale in the Calumet River, Chicago.
- Outcome: Burned entirely to a total loss.
- Casualties: None reported.
- Cargo/Use at Loss: Not carrying any cargo; likely laid up pending tourist season.
- “Caught fire and burned to a total loss at her dock.”
Final Disposition
The Tourist was completely destroyed by fire on August 8, 1911, marking the end of her service and the loss of a vessel significant to the seasonal tourist economy of the region.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Tourist is no longer extant, as the vessel was completely consumed by fire at her dock.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”tourist-1897″ title=”References & Links”]
The destruction of the Tourist signifies the decline of steam-powered excursion vessels that once thrived on Lake Michigan, reflecting changes in tourism and transportation in the early 20th century.
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.
(1897–1911)
- Built: 1897 by W. D. Preston, St. Joseph, MI
- Type: Sternwheel steam excursion vessel
- Official No.: 145742
- Size: 87 × 17 × 4 ft; 66 gross tons
- Owner at Loss: South Shore Steamship Company, Chicago
Final Voyage & Loss – August 8, 1911
- Incident: Caught fire in the engine room while tied up at Riverdale in the Calumet River, Chicago
- Outcome: Burned entirely to a total loss
- Casualties: None reported
- Cargo/Use at Loss: Not carrying any cargo; likely laid up pending tourist season
- “Caught fire and burned to a total loss at her dock.” (mobius.mysticseaport.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)
Operational Role & History
A dedicated excursion steamer, the Tourist carried passengers on pleasure cruises along the south shore of Lake Michigan—likely between Chicago and nearby resort areas such as Burnham or Riverdale.
Context & Significance
The Tourist was part of the early 1900s boom in leisure lake travel facilitated by steam-powered sternwheelers. Her destruction marked the end of one such regional vessel tied to the seasonal tourist economy.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1897, St. Joseph, MI |
| Type | Sternwheel excursion steamer |
| Dimensions | 87 × 17 × 4 ft; 66 GRT |
| Lost | Aug 8, 1911 – engine-room fire at dock |
| Owner | South Shore Steamship, Chicago |
| Casualties | None |