Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Western Metropolis
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer / Bark
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 340 ft (103.63 m); Beam: 40 ft (12.19 m); Depth of hold: 14 ft (4.27 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,861 tons
- Location: Off Calumet, Illinois
- Official Number: None (pre-dating official registration requirements)
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Three (as a bark)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Original Configuration: Sidewheel Steamer (1856–1863)
The Western Metropolis began her career as a wooden sidewheel steamer, characterized by large paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the hull. Built in 1856 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York, she was an exceptionally large vessel for her time, measuring 340 feet in length and 1,861 tons—making her one of the largest steamers on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers like the Western Metropolis were primarily used for passenger transport, package freight, and bulk cargo, playing a critical role in connecting cities across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
Description
The Western Metropolis was originally designed as a massive sidewheel steamer, notable for her size and capacity. After her 1863 conversion to a bark, she retained much of her structural integrity but operated solely under sail. Her wooden hull made her vulnerable to the severe storms common on the Great Lakes, especially in autumn, when weather conditions were notoriously unpredictable.
Despite her conversion, the vessel’s sheer size made her difficult to maneuver in heavy weather, particularly near the shallow, treacherous waters off Calumet, Illinois—a developing industrial area near Chicago.
History
The Western Metropolis served as a sidewheel steamer from 1856 to 1863, likely transporting passengers and freight between major Great Lakes ports, including Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit. Her conversion to a bark in 1863 allowed her to continue in service as a bulk cargo vessel, likely carrying grain, coal, timber, or other commodities.
Master (1863): Captain C. P. Morey was listed as the master of the vessel following her conversion. His tenure suggests he oversaw the ship during its final operational period before the loss in 1864.
Significant Incidents
Final Voyage and Loss: On October 8, 1864, the Western Metropolis encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan while navigating near Calumet, Illinois. The vessel stranded offshore, likely due to a combination of high winds, heavy waves, and the vessel’s large size, which would have made maneuvering difficult in confined or shallow waters.
The vessel was pounded by waves for several days, and by October 12, 1864, she was reported as being completely wrecked and broken to pieces. The exact cause of the stranding is unreported, but it may have involved navigational errors, poor visibility, or an inability to maintain control in worsening weather.
Several sources erroneously report that the vessel was wrecked at Calumet, Michigan on Lake Michigan, but historical records confirm the correct location as Calumet, Illinois, near Chicago.
Final Disposition
The Western Metropolis was considered a total loss following the storm. Given the extent of the wreck, any salvage efforts would have been limited to recovering materials such as metal fittings, rigging, and any cargo that could be retrieved from the shoreline. The wooden hull likely deteriorated over time, either sinking into the lake or being scattered along the Calumet shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, given the industrial development in the Calumet area near Chicago, any remaining parts of the vessel may have been disturbed by subsequent harbor expansions or buried under sediment.
Resources & Links
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
The Western Metropolis serves as a fascinating example of the evolution of Great Lakes vessels during the mid-19th century. Originally launched as one of the largest sidewheel steamers on the lakes, her conversion to a bark in 1863 allowed her to continue serving the booming Great Lakes trade. However, her final loss in 1864 near Calumet, Illinois, highlights the inherent risks of such large vessels navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, the Western Metropolis stands as a testament to the innovation, adaptation, and challenges of Great Lakes maritime history.