DETROIT (1859, Steamer)

Description

Identification

Construction and Ownership

Power

Number of Masts:: 2
Propulsion:: Sidewheel
Engine Type:: Vertical Beam (Walking Beam)
# Cylinders:: 1
# Boilers:: 2
# Propellers:: 2
Propulsion Notes:: 60" x 144", 1050hp engine by Shepard Iron Works, Buffalo, NY; later put into NORTHWEST 1876. 23'6" x 10' tubular boilers from Buffalo, NY. 36' wheels.

Hull Dimensions

Final Disposition

Final Location:: Between Greenbush & Harrisville, MI.
Lake Huron.
Date:: 29 Sep 1872
How:: Wrecked.
Final Cargo:: Lumber & coal.
Notes:: Towing barge, HUNTER, driven ashore between Greenbush & Harrisville, MI. 1873, Mar 8 Documents surrendered. 1875, Jun Machinery recovered to NORTHWEST.

History

Chronology:

1859, May 18 Launched; sister of MILWAUKEE (1868), cost $250,000; patterned after Royal steam packets; designed for year round service.

1859, Aug 22 Owned Julius Morris, Buffalo, NY; ran Milwaukee, WI - Grand Haven, MI.

1859, Aug 27 Owned Lake Michigan Transit Co., Milwaukee, Norman Emmons, secretary.

1860 Upper works completed; 1,113 tons old style or 880.58 gross tons.

1861, Jul Laid up for repairs, Grand Haven, MI.

1862, Jun Broke machinery Long Point, Lake Erie.

1862, Sep Sprang leak near Malden, Detroit River.

1862, Nov Sank, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.

1863, Sep 10 Aground Sand Point, Saginaw Bay.

1864, Jun 23 Owned Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad Co., Detroit, William Stephens, secretary.

1865, Sep 7 Readmeasured 880.58 tons, 240 x 58 x 12.5'.

1866, Oct 4 Change to Grand Haven District.

1868, Oct Wrecked outside Grand Haven, MI.

1870, Apr 26 Owned James M. Ballentine, Detroit; rebuilt as schooner barge; 1 deck, 2 masts, 240 x 34.8 x 12.5', 723.48 gross tons.

1871, May 5 Rebuilt as propeller or screw steamer; high pressure engine from propeller HUNTER; 11'6" wheel, 699.3 gross tons.

1872, May Ashore Peach Island.

1872, Sep 29 Wrecked Lake Huron.

Notes

From the Collection of:: C. Patrick Labadie
Sources:: Donald V. Baut; Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory; Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit - Mercy; Enrollments, U.S. National Archives; C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database; Erik Heyl, Early American Steamers; John E. Poole notes, Bowling Green State University; H. G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library; Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley; Inland Lloyds’ Marine Directory; C. Patrick Labadie; Lytle List; William MacDonald Collection, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Detroit; Gerry Metzler; Newspaper Clippings