Identification & Site Information:

• Name: The Alexander (formerly General Sherman)

• Other Names: General Sherman

• Official Number: US#10630

• Builder: J. Monk, Sandusky, Ohio

• Date Built: 1865

• Measurements:

• Length: 104 ft (31.7 m)

• Width: 23 ft (7.0 m)

• Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)

• Gross Tonnage: 129

• Final Disposition: Burned and sank, October 4, 1879, Lake St. Clair, near Belle River, Ontario

Vessel Type:

Wooden Propeller Vessel

Description:

The Alexander, originally named General Sherman, was a wooden vessel designed for passenger and package freight transportation. Its history spans a period of intensive use in the mid-19th century Great Lakes shipping industry.

History:

The ship was constructed in 1865 and initially operated in the United States. In 1873, it was sold to Canadian ownership, becoming associated with Joseph Roberts or Peter McKerran of Chatham, Ontario. Although officially registered in Montreal, the vessel primarily operated between Chatham and Detroit.

The vessel’s design has led to some historical ambiguity. While many sources describe it as a propeller or sternwheeler, early accounts, including those from Detroit newspapers, suggest it may have been a sidewheeler or “pollywog,” characterized by side wheels on its quarters.

Final Disposition:

On October 4, 1879, while transporting lumber (specifically ship planks) from Chatham to Detroit, a fire broke out near the stack of the Alexander. The fire spread uncontrollably, causing the vessel to break apart and sink approximately four miles from Belle River, Ontario, in Lake St. Clair. Despite the vessel’s complete loss, no fatalities were reported in available records.

Located By & Date Found:

There are no records of a confirmed discovery or archaeological investigation into the wreck site of the Alexander.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

No current advisories or hazards have been noted for the location of the Alexander’s sinking.

Resources & Links:

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

2. Marine Museum of the Great Lakes

3. David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion:

The Alexander provides an intriguing example of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, particularly the evolution and ambiguity of vessel designs in this era. Its fiery demise near Belle River, Ontario, is a stark reminder of the perils faced by wooden ships navigating the Great Lakes.

Keywords:

• Great Lakes

• Wooden Propeller Vessel

• Ship Fire

• Lake St. Clair

Glossary:

• Propeller Vessel: A ship powered by a screw propeller.

• Sidewheeler: A vessel with paddle wheels located on the sides for propulsion.

• Pollywog: A colloquial term for vessels with side wheels, often unique in their design.