SS Appomattox
[1][2] The Appomattox (Official number 116682)[3] was built in 1896 in West Bay City, Michigan by the shipyard owned by master shipbuilder James Davidson who was known for his innovative wooden hulled ships.[10] It was equipped with a 1,100 horsepower triple expansion steam engine which was built by the Frontier Iron Works Company of Detroit.[13] The Appomattox operated mainly on the Great Lakes, carrying iron ore on its eastward voyages, and then returning westward with coal.The ship usually towed the steamer barge Santiago, which had a length of 324 feet (98.8 m), to increase the amount of cargo carried each trip.Unfortunately the Appomattox had run aground so hard that it sustained severe bottom damage, the crews worked but were unable to refloat the hull.