 The only known image of theCity of Ashland | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | City of Ashland |
| Namesake | Ashland, Wisconsin |
| Owner | Superior Lumber Company, Ashland, Wisconsin |
| Port of registry |  United States |
| Launched | 1883 |
| Fate | Burned to the waterline on the 8th of August 1887 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Paddle steamer |
| Tonnage | 84.62 tons |
| Length | 90 feet (27 meters) |
| Beam | 20 feet (6.1 meters) |
| Depth | 7 feet (2.1 meters) |
| Depth of hold | 21 feet (6.4 meters) |
| Propulsion | Steam engine,sidewheel |
City of Ashland was a sidewheelpaddle steamer that sank inChequamegon Bay,Lake Superior, offAshland,Wisconsin.[1] The ship was named for Ashland, aport community. The wreckage remains at the bottom of the bay, close to the ship's namesake city.
City of Ashland was built in 1883 and owned by the Superior Lumber Company, located in Ashland. The ship primarily was used fortimber rafting. Astimber was harvested around theBad River area of Wisconsin, the logs would collect near the shore, whereCity of Ashland would pick them up and tow them in rafts to thesawmill in Ashland.[2] The ship was a common sight around the Chequamegon Bay area.
On August 8, 1887,City of Ashland was returning to Ashland while pulling a raft of logs. At a point about threenautical miles (5.5 km) northeast ofWashburn, Wisconsin, a fire was discovered at the rear of thepilothouse. The entire ship was engulfed in flames within minutes. Hundreds of people lined the shore to view the emergency.[2] As the flames quickly began to consume almost the entire ship, the crew had no choice but to jump into the cold water of Lake Superior. Several ships came to their rescue, includingCyclone andS. B. Barker. Most of her crew survived, but crewman Fred Ebert drowned.[2]
The origin of the fire remains a mystery. The ship's wreck remains under the waters of Lake Superior.
46°41′06″N90°49′31″W / 46.6850°N 90.8252°W /46.6850; -90.8252
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