Steamboat Race
After a friendly race between the City of Chicago and the City of Milwaukee in September 1900, a Chicago–newspaper boasted the winner (the City of Chicago) was the "fastest on the lakes". A paper in Detroit, Michigan subsequently listed nine other vessels (including the City of Erie) that could have easily beat the City of Chicago. The list failed to mention the newest ship built for Detroit's White Star Line, the Tashmoo. The Tashmoo, also designed by Kirby, was built in 1900 and was built specifically for speed. The president of Detroit's White Star Line offered $1,000 to any ship that could beat the Tashmoo in a race. J. W. Wescott, president of the C&B, accepted the challenge. The set course was 82 nautical miles (152 km; 94 mi) long, going along the City of Erie's regular route from Cleveland to Erie.
The City of Erie was initially ahead but was soon overtaken by the Tashmoo. The Tashmoo eventually slowed and was passed as soon as it was out of sight of the shore because the "wheelman was not used to steering by compass." The Tashmoo was later forced to slow again due to an overheating condenser. The City of Erie beat the Tashmoo by 45 seconds, with the Tashmoo still gaining ground. The owners of the City of Erie refused to have a rematch, although it was admitted that the Tashmoo was the faster ship.
Read more about this topic: SS City Of Erie
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