Ironsides operated between Cleveland and Lake Superior for a number of years, and was sold several times.

After failing to navigate Ironsides into Grand Haven harbour twice, Captain Harry Sweetman decided instead to anchor, and ride out the storm offshore.

In 1887, the Englemann Transportation Company claimed they would raise Ironsides' wreck, however, the salvage never occurred.

[5] Her hull contained two watertight bulkheads, and was stiffened with two "hogging arches" which were reinforced with iron.

[5][6][7] Ironsides had 44 state rooms, which were furnished with chandeliers, damask curtains and colourful carpets.

[3][9] She was powered by two dual-cylinder 1,284 hp (957 kW) low pressure direct acting engines, designed by J.F.

While loaded with corn and 15,000 bushels of wheat, one of Ironsides' crankpins broke while travelling off Point Betsie in May 1869.

[1][2] On October 15, that same year, Ironsides was damaged in a collision with an unknown propeller-driven steamship in Saginaw Bay.

[2][18] On October 14, 1872, Ironsides' sister ship, Lac La Belle sank in a storm off Racine, Wisconsin.

[4][5][20] By 4:00 a.m. on September 15, Ironsides' starboard midships gangways had been smashed in by the waves, causing her to take on water fast.

[10] Captain Sweetman tried to guide her into Grand Haven harbour, but the bad weather pushed Ironsides off course, forcing him to turn back and try again.

[5][21] After failing to guide her into the harbour a second time, Captain Sweetman decided to ride out the storm while anchored offshore.

[5][21] By 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., Ironsides began to sink; the rising water in her engine room extinguished the fire in her boilers, and her signal of distress was hoisted.

[5][20][22][23] As Ironsides' crew were unable to pump her free of water, Captain Sweetman gave the order to abandon ship.

In 1887, the Englemann Transportation Company claimed they would raise Ironsides' wreck, however, the salvage never occurred.

[5][24] Investigation of her wreck revealed evidence that Ironsides did run aground on the beach, likely sustaining damage to the bottom of her hull.