Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Ironsides OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: 12091 REASON: Foundered DATE OF LOSS: 15 September 1873 LOCATION: Lake Michigan, 8 miles NW of Grand Haven RIG TYPE: Prop HULL TYPE: Wooden (possibly iron plated) BUILDER: Quayle & Martin, Cleveland - 1864 OWNER(S): Engelmann Transportation Company MASTER: Capt. Harry Sweetman TONNAGE: 1,123 t (new tonnage, 1871) LENGTH: 220 ft BEAM: 31 ft DEPTH: 14 ft CASUALTIES: Accounts vary: 17 - 24 SURVIVORS: Launched on September 20, 1864, the IRONSIDES was nothing short of a floating palace. Her forty-four state rooms were elegantly furnished with the highest quality furniture and elegant damask curtains. Beautiful Brussels carpeting covered her floors. Even the wash rooms bespoke of elegance, having marble fixtures with both hot and cold running water provided. While built to rival any shoreside accomodations she also had com- panionways built into her sides that enabled her to carry cargo, thus adding to her profitability. Extra state of the art safety provisions were also built into her design. Two "water tight" bulkheads divided her hull, which was a real rarity at the time. Outfitted with fire hoses and ample life boats the IRONSIDES was well equipped to handle any sort of emergency situation, however there are no safety measures that can overcome time and age. In 1867, when purchased by the Englemann Transportation Company, much of her finery had begun to fade. Even so, she was still considered to be one of the finest vessels on the lakes. June 1865 the IRONSIDES had a fire in her hold with only slight damage. In August, 1869, she collided with a dredge at Racine. The same month, another collision with the propeller MESSENGER at Milwaukee. In October, same year, collision with Revenue Steamer ANDREW JOHNSON at Milwaukee. December, 1872, struck the bar at Grand Haven and sprung a leak. On March 7, 1873, the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser listed her as being "generally repaired" at Wolf & Davidson's ship- yard, Milwaukee, at a cost of $10,000. Likely a result of striking the sand bar at Grand Haven the previous December. In 1871 she was valued at $50,000 and, at the date of loss was valued at $70,000. The IRONSIDES left the Engelmann wharf at 9:30 p.m. on Sun- day, September 14, 1873, on her usual run from Milwaukee to Grand Haven. There had been reports that the vessel had been leaking badly on previous trips but the source of the leak could not be found. Shortly after midnight a southwest gale began to blow, creating heavy seas. The IRONSIDES, again leaking, settled lower into the water allowing the wind driven waves to smash in a gangway. The pumps were unable to keep up with the rapidly gaining water which soon put out her fires and left her without power. Her distress signal was hoisted at 9 a.m. but no help could reach the ill-fated vessel. The crew and passengers took to five of the life boats, the last one leaving her at 11:50 a.m., and was about 1/4 mile from her when she went down. Of these only three would make shore. Partial list of victims: Harry Sweetman, Captain Mrs. Harry Sweetman Robert McGlue, Chief Engineer Tim Foley, Wheelman Mrs. H. A. (Nettie) Valentine, Milwaukee Harry Valentine, age 4, Milwaukee Henry Hazelbarth Mrs. Henry Hazelbarth Charles Wimmel ======================================================================== SOURCES: Detroit Free Press, 21 September 1864 Detroit Free Press, 22 December 1865 Detroit Free Press, 17 December 1872 Oswego Daily Paladium, 17 September 1873 Detroit Free Press, 12 December 1873 Classification of Lake Vessels & Barges, 1871 Report of the Supervising Inspector, 30 September 1873 Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes