The SS Merchant was a pioneering American iron-hulled passenger and freight vessel constructed in 1862 in Buffalo, New York. It holds the distinction of being the first iron-hulled merchant ship built on the Great Lakes. The ship measured approximately 200 feet in overall length, with a beam of around 29 feet and a depth of about 13.7 feet. Her hull was made of iron, marking a significant technological advancement at the time, although wooden ships remained dominant until the 1880s. Merchant's gross tonnage was around 720 to 861 tons, depending on the measurement system used. Powered by a 600-horsepower, low-pressure, single-cylinder condensing engine built by David Bell Iron Works, she was propelled by a four-bladed fixed-pitch propeller, capable of reaching speeds up to 14 miles per hour. Her engine was fueled by coal, making her the first Great Lakes vessel to use this fuel source. The vessel's construction included four watertight bulkheads, and she was equipped with a single mast and auxiliary sails for backup propulsion. Her cargo capacity was approximately 837 long tons, allowing her to carry passengers and freight, including grain, flour, and miscellaneous goods. Merchant's service history was marked by frequent incidents, including collisions, groundings, and accidents. Her maiden voyage was in August 1862, running from Buffalo to Chicago. Over the years, she was involved in numerous mishaps, such as striking submerged wrecks, running aground multiple times, and colliding with other vessels. In 1872-1873, she was lengthened by 30 feet, increasing her tonnage and removing passenger cabins, and was sold to the Erie & Western Transportation Company, also known as the "Anchor Line." Her career ended tragically on October 6, 1875, when she ran aground on Racine Reef near Racine, Wisconsin, due to a navigational error. The ship punctured her hull and sank quickly, breaking apart by November 11. Her wreck, scattered over a large area in about 25 feet of water, was rediscovered in the 1990s and is considered historically significant for being one of the most notable vessel losses in Wisconsin waters, representing an important chapter in the transition to iron shipbuilding on the Great Lakes.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.