Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Garden City (Steamboat), sunk, 16 May 1854

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Steamer GARDEN CITY, sunk near De Tour, Lake Michigan. Boat and machinery total loss. Property loss $50,000.
      The Democracy, Buffalo
      Feb. 28, 1855 (1854 Casualty List)

      . . . . .

LOSS OF THE STEAMER "GARDEN CITY" --We learn from Chicago that a telegraphic despatch has been received in that city from Milwaukee, announcing the total loss of the steamer GARDEN CITY, Capt. A.H. Squier, at De Tour, Lake Huron, by shipwreck on Monday night last. She was owned by Messrs. Bidwell, Banta & Co., of this city, and was running between Chicago and Sault Ste. Marie. The passengers and crew were saved. The news reached Milwaukee by a schooner. The GARDEN CITY was a new and beautiful steamer of medium class and was valued at $75,000. Insured for $50,000.
      Buffalo Daily Republic
      Monday, May 22, 1854
     
      . . . . .

The Express learns from Chicago that a telegraph despatch had been received in that city from Milwaukee, announcing the total loss of the steamer GARDEN CITY, Capt. A.H. Squier, at De Tour, lake Huron, by shipwreck, on Monday night last. She was owned by Messrs. Bidwell, Banta & Co., of this city, and was running between Chicago and Sault Ste Marie. The passengers and crew were saved. The news reached Milwaukee by a schooner. No particulars given. The GARDEN CITY was a new and beautiful steamer of the medium class.
      The Democracy, Buffalo
      May 23, 1854

      . . . . .
     
THE GARDEN CITY - The following letter from Capt. Squier to Messrs. Bidwell & Banta, of this city, contains all the particulars we have been able to obtain concerning the loss of that steamer;
      Steamer GARDEN CITY
      Wednesday, May 7, 1854
The GARDEN CITY is a total wreck, on a reef of rocks about fifteen miles to the westward of Detour Light. She struck and went over the reef, but I found she was filling so fast that I was obliged to get back on the place she struck, and let her fill, which she did in about 20 minutes. The shoal is about ten miles from shore. I sent all the passengers ashore, and then went to Mackinaw for assistance, and enter protest, etc. The next day I got the QUEEN CITY, and got all the passengers and crew, and nearly all the furniture, when it commence
blowing, and we had to leave. What was saved will be taken to Chicago, and left subject to the order of the Underwriters. The boat will be a total loss, except the engine and boilers, which can probably be saved. The boat is broken in two abaft the boilers. The wind has been blowing heavy and there is a high sea.
      Yours truly A.H. Squier
The boat was new last season, and was valued at $75,000. She was insured for $50,000, as follows:--- Sun Mutual, New York ...............$8,000
      Mercantile Mutual, new York........$8,000
      Atlas, New York ....................$7,000
      Astor, New York ....................$7,000
      Corn Exchange, New York ............$5,000
      Buffalo Mutual .....................$5,000
      Northwest, Oswego ..................$5,000
      Globe, Utica .......................$5,000
      ----------
      Total .......... $50,000
      The Democracy, Buffalo
      May 24, 1854

      . . . . .

      ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER MICHIGAN. -- The U. S. Steamer MICHIGAN arrived at this port last evening from Chicago, via Milwaukee. We are indebted to Capt. Nicholas for the annexed intelligence: During her cruise down she rendered assistance to the following vessels: At 6:40 A. M. of the 20th inst., commenced hauling off the schooner HAGER, ashore at the mouth of the Milwaukee River; at 8 succeeded in getting her off and towed her into the lake, after having parted two hawsers in the operation. Then stood up the lake in search of the schooner EQUATOR, reported to be ashore near Sheboygan. At 1 P. M. sent a boat to the stranded vessel; found her bilged and discharging her cargo. Touched at Sheboygan and landed the agent of the owners. At 10:15 A. M. on the 21st inst., left Mackinaw, and stood north on Lake Huron, in search of the steamer GARDEN CITY, reported below to be on shore, which found stranded on the Hog's Back Reef, fifteen miles west of Detour; sent a boat to ascertain is she could render any assistance. The boat returned, reporting the steamer broken in two, a schooner alongside taking out the bedding and furniture, the passengers and the best part of the furniture having been previously taken off by the steamer QUEEN CITY. At 1:40 stood down the lake. On the morning of the 22d inst., discovered the propeller PLYMOUTH, of Buffalo, ashore in the rapids at the head of St. Clair River. Went to her assistance, and after four hours of incessant toil, succeeded in getting her off, -- Free Press.
      Cleveland Morning Leader
      Saturday, May 27, 1854

      . . . . .
     
THE GARDEN CITY.---The latest accounts by the QUEEN CITY on her last trip from the Sault, state that the GARDEN CITY is still lying as she was left, hard upon the reef, which has pretty well demolished her hull timbers. She however remains erect and submerged only to her main deck forward, her bow being still higher out of the water. Her back is broken and she is bent like a bow. Her smoke stack and machinery present their usual appearance, and at the distance of a mile her appearance is not much unlike her former self. We fear, however, that the beautiful steamer will never leave her rocky bed. Her upper cabins and much of her machinery will undoubtedly be Saved. --- Chicago Journal
      The Democracy, Buffalo
      June 9, 1854



Media Type
Text
Newspaper
Item Type
Clippings
Notes
Reason: sunk
Lives: nil
Hull damage: $75,000
Remarks: Total loss
Date of Original
1854
Subject(s)
Local identifier
McN.W.1659
Language of Item
English
Geographic Coverage
  • Michigan, United States
    Latitude: 45.99446 Longitude: -83.90278
Donor
William R. McNeil
Copyright Statement
Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
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Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Email:walter@maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
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Garden City (Steamboat), sunk, 16 May 1854