She had six accidents in her career, the first one occurred on June 12, 1905 when Sylvania collided with the steamer Sir Henry Bessemer of Whitefish Point, Lake Superior because of confused passing signals.

She was refloated by the McQueen Marine Building Company, and she arrived at Lorain, Ohio for repairs the next day.

On 29 November 1968 she had a collision with the Diamond Alkali in the Fighting Island Channel of the Detroit River during a snow squall, she was repaired at American Shipbuilding Company of Lorain.

On November 8, 1972 Sylvania ran aground at Belle Isle in the Detroit River while traveling to the Connors Creek power plant.

On June 2, 1973 the ship collided with the Frank Purnell north of the Detroit River Light in fog.