Identification & Site Information

  • Name: City of Boston
  • Official number: 4375
  • Year built: 1863, Cleveland, OH (Stephens & Presley)
  • Type: Wooden, single-propeller Steamship—passenger & freight
  • Decks: Two-Deck structure with one mast; powered by engine from City of Superior (1857)
  • Dimensions: 41.5 m (136 ft) × 7.9 m (25.8 ft) × 3.6 m (11.9 ft)
  • Tonnage (old style): 392 tons
  • Final loss location: ~6.4 km (4 mi) south of Frankfort, MI, Lake Michigan
  • Loss date: 20 November 1873 (snowstorm)

Vessel Type

A mid-19th-century wooden screw Steamer, built for mixed commerce and passenger service across Lake Michigan.

Description

Steam-powered single-propeller Hull retaining auxiliary mast; engaged in mixed use post-1880s as a Steam Barge after Rebuild.

History & Chronology

  • 14 Mar 1863: Launched
  • 29 May 1865: Tonnage adjusted to 298 GT
  • 25 Apr 1866: Readmeasured at 431.6 GT
  • 3 Aug 1867: Grounded in Chicago—released
  • Nov 1868: Collision with Steamer Milwaukee in Straits of Mackinac—sunk
  • 1870: Raised from 38 m (125 ft), deepest Great Lakes salvage at the time; Rebuilt as Steam Barge
  • 10 May 1872: Collided with Sea Gull in Welland Canal
  • Oct 1873: Disabled at Mackinac
  • 4 Nov 1873: Stranded during snowstorm off Frankfort; broke in two at 15 ft depth; machinery salvaged; Hull wrecked (Michigan Shipwrecks, Flickr, wrecksite.eu, Wandering Educators)

Final Disposition

Wrecked and Abandoned; crew evacuated. Structure fragmented, with remains in shallow water and beach sand.

Located By & Date Found

Wreck exists ~60 m offshore in 2–3 m (4–8 ft) water. Visibility varies with sand shifts—can be snorkelled from Green Point Dunes Preserve (Flickr, grkids.com).

NOTMARs & Advisories

No modern navigational warnings; the shallow site may present a hazard to small watercraft but not officially charted.

Shore Dive & Snorkel Information

  • Access: Via Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve, ~1 mile hike from parking
  • Depth: Stern at 2.4 m (8 ft); bow may be <1.2 m (4 ft) submerged
  • Visibility: Seasonal with up to ~6 m (20 ft) clarity; often shallow surf
  • Points of Interest: Broken midship section, framing, cargo remnants (corn/flour), scattered machinery
  • Skill Level: Beginner/intermediate; suitable for snorkelling
  • Hazards: Shallow water, unpredictable surf, shifting sands—shirt exposure
  • Best Time: Late spring to early fall
  • Local Resources: Frankfort dive outfits, snorkeling guides, Great Lakes tourist info
  • Safety: Use dive flags, check weather; no permit required but site respect encouraged

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The City of Boston offers accessible insight into 19th-century steam commerce on Lake Michigan. Its shallower wreckage and proximity to shore make it an excellent educational snorkel site. As a once-modern Steamer that faced rebuilds, deep salvage, and ultimately a snowstorm wreck, it encapsulates evolving maritime technology and Great Lakes navigational challenges of the 1800s.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

  • Wooden screw Steamer | Snowstorm wreck | Snorkel dive site | Frankfort MI | Lake Michigan heritage | Shallow-water archaeology