On this day September 25, 1914, the steamer SHEBOYGAN, the first boat built for Goodrich, was cremated.
The SHEBOYGAN was built by Greenleaf S. Rand at Manitowoc, just southeast of the 8th Street Bridge, in 1869 for the Goodrich Transit Co. The wooden steam paddle measured 208 feet in length, 32 feet in beam and 12 feet in depth. According to Herman Runge, her engine was originally in the steamer GARDEN CITY which was built in 1853 and wrecked in 1854. Then it was put in the CITY OF CLEVELAND which was built in 1857 and dismantled in 1867. The engine found its home in the SHEBOYGAN in 1869.
The SHEBOYGAN had a long career and was popular with her passengers. In 1912 she was retired from passenger service and kept as a reserve. On July 17, 1913, while on temporary service, the SHEBOYGAN collided with the IOWA in the Chicago River, causing severe damage to the IOWA’s bow which led to her sinking at the dock. There was only minor damage to the SHEBOYGAN. Both captains were found to be at fault and both were dismissed by the Goodrich Co.
In 1914, the SHEBOYGAN was condemned by the US Inspectors. She was sold for scrap to the Manitowoc Iron and Metal Co. On September 25th, after all valuable metal was removed, she was towed out of the Manitowoc harbor for the last time and hailed by most all of Manitowoc on her way. Below is the article from the Wisconsin State Journal of September 27, 1914, describing her sendoff.
“BURNS STEAMER WITH CEREMONY
“SHEBOYGAN Given “Funeral” After 45 Years’ Service
“Manitowoc, Wis., Sept. 26 – After forty-five years of service on Lake Michigan, the Goodrich line steamer SHEBOYGAN, the first boat built by that company, was towed a mile north of the harbor piers Friday night and burned amid great ceremonies. President Goodrich, General Manager Thorp and a party from Chicago were here for the “funeral” of their pioneer craft.
“The tug ARCTIC of the same fleet, which had towed the SHEBOYGAN in and out of the harbor for years, took the boat to its final resting place. As it left the dock pulling the old craft every whistle in the city, from factory, locomotive and ship, blew a farewell of three long and a short blast, to which the tug answered.
“The steamer SHEBOYGAN was built here in 1869 and was in use continually until 1912. Two months ago dismantling of it was begun by the Manitowoc Iron and Metal company. On Friday the last piece of machinery, chains and all valuable metal was removed. The boat was then towed down the river and thence out into the lake.”
Suzette Lopez
Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society.
