Railroad: Ann Arbor railroad
Built/Acquired: 1892
Crossing: Lake Michigan
End of Service: 1910. Burned at C&NW dock in Manitowoc.
Disposition: Burned to waterline in 1910.
Length: 260 feet, held 24 cars
Type: Wood hull.
[LMCF] + others.
Ann Arbor No. 1 was built in Toledo, OH by the Craig Shipbuilding Co. This 274-foot vellel was the first cross-lake railroad car ferry on the Great Lakes. Its hull was built of oak and the bottom was sheathed in metal to protect it from ice damage.
1892. September 29. Ann Arbor No. 1 is launched. [AATHS]
1892. November 16. Ann Arbor No. 1 arrives at Frankfort to begin service. On November 24, the ferry departs Frankfort on its first revenue lake crossing. [AATHA-2027-Cal]
1893. April 28. The Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan enters receivership. They are unable to pay the Craig Ship Building Co. for boats Ann Arbor No. 1 and No. 2. Saginaw lumberman Wellington R. Burt is appointed receiver. The action of the Craigs was brought to secure the balance due on two great boats, the Ann Arbor No. 1 and No. 2, built by them for the road and which carry four full trains across Lake Michigan. These two vessels cost $283,000, and of this about half remains unpaid, secured by notes. There is $20,000 now due and unpaid. The railroad notified the Craigs that they would be unable to meet this obligation. John Craig, the head of the company, has a further claim of $29,000. Mr. Burt will take possession immediately. [SAG-1893-0428]
1908. The vessel was rebuilt.
1910. March 8. The vessel was almost completely destroyed by fire at the C&NW car ferry slip in Manitowoc, WI. The shop was loaded with 20 rail cars, lumber and other cargo at the time of the fire.
1911. June. The damaged ship was raised by the L.D. Smith Wreck Co. and towed to Muskegon. Its hull was sold and converted to a sand scow.
[Info from the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History]
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
