Service History
The wooden steamer
Cleveland was launched on June 3, 1860 in Cleveland, Ohio. Her official number was 4376.
She was employed to carry cargo, often lumber, and saw service on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Originally, the
Cleveland saw service as a steam barge but then saw an unusual conversion becoming a passenger and package freighter propeller.
June 22, 1866 Lake Erie. The
Cleveland and the bark
Maria Morton were involved in a collision where the
Cleveland sank due to a gaping hole in her hull. The vessel was raised on July 6, the hole patched and extensive repairs were then made in Cleveland, Ohio.
August 1868 Menominee River (near Milwaukee). The schooner
Phalarope rammed the
Cleveland but neither vessel received much damage.
June 1900. While dry docked at Milwaukee the
Cleveland was damaged by fire resulting in the crew quarters being destroyed. The damage was repaired but within another month she sank near the Chicago River. After she was raised the local inspectors determined she was unfit for service and needed extensive work.
Late 1900. The
Cleveland was dismantled at Manitowoc and her engine and boiler put into the schooner barge
S.M. Stephenson. The
Cleveland, after being dismantled, was towed behind the
Stephenson in the lumber trade, but it was not very long, probably less than a full season.
June 1901. The
Cleveland was towed to Sturgeon Bay where she was moored and sunk at her mooring site.
Final Voyage
June 1902. The steam screw
Cleveland was raised (she had sunk at her mooring in Sturgeon Bay) and towed to the limestone quarry of John Graef and Louis Nebel at McCracken's cove on the eastern shore "located halfway between the Laurie quarry and the Leathem and Smith pits" at Sturgeon Bay. The hull was stripped, filled with rubble, and sank as a dock crib next to the
J.S. Williams.