Tashmoo
1900
(Hugh O'Connor -- Patriot Models)
- Type: Sidewheel River Excursion Passenger Steamer
- Dimensions: 320 x 70 x 22 ft.
- Displacement: 1,344 GRT
- Machinery: Steam triple-expansion 2500ihp, sidewheels
- Passengers:
- Designer: Frank E. Kirby
- Built: Detroit Ship Building Co., Wyandotte, Michigan, 1900
- Notes: Built for the White Star Steamship Co, Detroit. Intended for river excursions between Detroit and Port Huron with regular stops at Tashmoo Park, a popular summer resort opened in 1897 at Harsens Island near the mouth of the St. Clair River. Also occasional trips to Toledo, Ohio.
Narrow loser of a famous race against the City of Erie on 4 June 1901 between Cleveland and Erie. Nevertheless, she was probably the fastest ship on the Great Lakes.
On 8 December 1927 a powerful winter storm tore her loose from her moorings on the Detroit River and sent her down river with no one on board to collide with the Belle Isle Bridge. She survived this event, but then on 18 June 1936 while on a moonlight excursion with 1,400 passengers aboard, she struck a submerged rock at the mouth of Sugar Island Channel. With full speed ahead she managed to reach the Brunner-Mond Co. coal wharf at Amherstburg, Ontario. The passengers and crew got safely ashore before she settled in 18 feet of water. Salvage efforts were unsuccessful and she was scrapped shortly after.
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