Car Ferry - Ann Arbor No. 1 (1892-1910)

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.

Notes

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.

Designed by Frank Kirby of Detroit, the ship did not have a stern gate which was common practice until around 1910. The vessel was initially used to transport railcars between Frankfort and Kewaunee, WI. The vessel was sold to the Ann Arbor Railroad in 1896.

Time Line

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]