SS Midland City

SS Midland City
SS Midland City on Georgian Bay
History
Name
  • Maud (1871–1895)
  • America (1895–1921)
  • Midland City (1921–)
NamesakeMaud Gildersleeve
Owner
  • C.F. Gildersleeve (1871–1873)
  • W. Nickle (1873–1886)
  • St. Lawrence River Steamboats Co (1886–)
Launched16 August 1871
Sponsored byMaud Gildersleeve
CompletedAugust 1871
FateGrounded and burned as breakwater 1955
General characteristics 1871–1895
TypeSteamboat
Tonnage
  • 120–133 tons registered
  • 293 GRT
Length114 ft (35 m)
Beam
  • 19 ft (5.8 m) (hull)
  • 32 ft (9.8 m) (overall)
Draft3 ft (0.91 m)
Depth6 ft (1.8 m)
Installed power200 hp (150 kW) Compound steam engine
Propulsion13 ft (4.0 m) sidewheels
Speed13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
Capacity550 passengers
General characteristics 1895–1922
Tonnage
  • 266 tons
  • 521 GT
Length153 ft (47 m)
Beam35 ft (11 m)
General characteristics 1922–1933
Tonnage580 GT
General characteristics 1933–
Tonnage580 GT
Installed power300 hp (220 kW) diesel

SS Midland City was originally a Canadian side-wheel steamboat that provided passenger and cargo transportation on the Great Lakes from 1871 until 1955. Originally named Maud, then America, she underwent several extensive refits over her 84-year service, and saw several owners. The ship was intentionally run aground and burnt to the waterline in 1955 near the mouth of the Wye River in Midland Bay. The wreck is intact and visible above the water to this day, where it acts as a breakwater for the Wye Heritage Marina and local attraction.