Wreck Report: City of Montreal

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: City of Montreal
  • Type: Propeller Bulk Freighter
  • Year Built: 1871
  • Builder: Hyslop & Ronald, Chatham, Ontario
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 138 feet (41 meters)
    • Beam: 25.6 feet (7.8 meters)
    • Depth: 11.6 feet (3.5 meters)
    • Tonnage: 400 gross tons
  • Propulsion: Single screw, single-cylinder engine, one boiler, one mast
  • Original Owner: McKay of Hamilton, Ontario
  • Final Location: Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior
  • Final Date of Incident: October 19, 1888
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Depth: Unknown

Vessel Type Description

The City of Montreal was a propeller-driven bulk freighter built for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and steam-powered propulsion made it an essential vessel for the shipping of building materials, grain, and other bulk goods. Over its operational life, it underwent modifications, including a Conversion into a Steam Barge. These changes reflected its owners’ efforts to adapt the vessel to the evolving demands of Great Lakes commerce.

History

The City of Montreal was launched in 1871 by Hyslop & Ronald of Chatham, Ontario, as part of the Montreal Chicago Line. Initially owned by McKay of Hamilton, the vessel carried a variety of cargoes and underwent routine maintenance, including boiler repairs and refastening in 1872.

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, the freighter experienced a series of incidents and ownership changes. In November 1878, it was reported missing on Lake Michigan but was found without its pilot house on Manitou Island. By February 1881, the vessel was reported wrecked but was later Rebuilt in Owen Sound, Ontario. During this Rebuild, it was converted into a Steam Barge with a new boiler installed to extend its service life.

In 1888, the City of Montreal was owned by A. Campbell of Toronto. On its final voyage, the vessel departed Vertist, Ontario, bound for Chicago, towing the Barge Keewatin and carrying 475 tons of building stone. During a heavy easterly storm, the freighter anchored off Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior to ride out the tempest. After two days, the vessel was driven ashore by the unrelenting storm.

Final Disposition

The wreck occurred on October 19, 1888, when the City of Montreal was driven ashore on Michipicoten Island. The crew and passengers managed to launch a lifeboat and drifted for three days before reaching safety. Tragically, one life was lost during the ordeal. The Keewatin, which the freighter was towing, escaped damage.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the City of Montreal. The wreck remains a point of interest for its historical significance rather than as a navigational hazard.

Located By & Date

There is no record of the wreck being officially located or explored. It is presumed to lie near Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior, but the exact site and depth remain undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage of the City of Montreal has not been documented extensively. Given the harsh conditions of Lake Superior, the wooden structure of the vessel is likely in a state of advanced deterioration. Exploration of the site would require underwater surveys, though its precise location remains unknown.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Great Lakes Ships Database: Details on vessels operating on the Great Lakes.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical context and records for regional maritime activities.

Conclusion

The City of Montreal was a resilient freighter that endured multiple incidents, rebuilds, and ownership changes throughout its 17-year career on the Great Lakes. Its final voyage underscores the challenges faced by mariners navigating Lake Superior’s unforgiving waters. The tragedy of its wreck near Michipicoten Island highlights the perils of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, as well as the ingenuity and determination of those who operated these vessels. The City of Montreal remains a part of the storied maritime history of the region, remembered as both a workhorse of its time and a victim of the lake’s might.

Keywords

City of Montreal, Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior shipwreck, bulk freighter, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century freighter, Steam Barge, Keewatin, storm wreck, historical shipwreck.