Service History
The excursion steamer
City Of Oshkosh was originally built as the
City Of Berlin in 1891 by H. Stedman. Note: this vessel is not the same as the
Berlin City. The
City Of Berlin handled both freight and passengers between Berlin, Wisconsin and Oshkosh for three years under the ownership of H. Stedman. The vessel could carry as many as 400 passengers.
On August 30, 1895, the former
City Of Berlin soon to be named
City Of Oshkosh under the new ownership of W.W. LaFevre and S.R. Clark was towed to Oshkosh to be refitted with new, more powerful machinery. The intentions were to put her in prime condition for the passenger and excursion business.
Final Voyage
June 19,1896, Lake Poygan, Wisconsin. While on her way from Merton's Landing to Oshkosh with a load of hardwood (belonging to Oshkosh Brewing Company), the steamer
City of Oshkosh, captained by Louis Claimont, caught on fire. The fire started in the hardwood, piled to the ceiling on the lower deck. Despite efforts by the steamers John Lynch and J.H. Crawford, the
City of Oshkosh swung ashore and burned to the water's edge. She was not insured, and there was no plan to replace her. LaFevre feared her machinery was destroyed. She was originally built as the
City of Berlin (not the same as the
Berlin City).
