Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Alzora
• Type: Fish Tug
• Other Names: Not specified
• Build Information: Unknown
• Specifications: Unknown
• Final Disposition: Burned and sank on July 22, 1908
• Location: Approximately 2.5 miles off Bay Port, Michigan, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

Vessel Type Description:

The Alzora was a fish tug, a type of small, robust vessel designed for commercial fishing operations. Fish tugs were essential to the fishing industry in the Great Lakes, used to haul nets and transport catches back to shore. Unfortunately, no specific details about the Alzora’s construction or design are available, leaving much about the vessel’s characteristics and operation shrouded in mystery.

History:

The Alzora met its tragic end on July 22, 1908, when a fire broke out aboard the vessel approximately 2.5 miles off Bay Port, Michigan, in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The fire engulfed the vessel, leading to its sinking. The circumstances leading up to the fire, as well as the cause, are unknown.

Details about any crew or passengers aboard at the time of the incident are also unclear. No reports are available in regards to loss of life or the survival of those involved. These gaps in the historical record make it difficult to piece together a comprehensive account of the tragedy or the events leading to the vessel’s demise.

Final Disposition:

The Alzora burned and sank in Saginaw Bay, becoming a part of Lake Huron’s underwater history. The lack of precise information about its resting place and the vessel’s condition makes its modern status uncertain.

Located By & Date:

There are no records of the Alzora’s wreck being located or explored. Its exact position remains undetermined, although it is reported to lie 2.5 miles off Bay Port, Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• Current Status: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the site.
• Navigational Hazard: None reported, as the wreck’s exact location is unknown.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Offers general historical records on vessels and shipwrecks.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Saginaw Bay Area Resources: Regional archives may hold further information about the event.

Conclusion:

The Alzora one of the countless unsolved mysteries of Great Lakes maritime history. While fish tugs like the Alzora were a vital part of the region’s commercial activities, the lack of detailed records about this vessel and its tragic sinking highlights the gaps in historical documentation for smaller, working-class vessels of the era. Further exploration of the wreck site or archival research will shed light on its story.

Keywords Alzora Great Lakes Shipwreck Fish Tug Saginaw Bay Lake Huron Shipwrec 1908 Maritime Disaster

Glossary:

• Fish Tug: A small, sturdy vessel used for commercial fishing, particularly in hauling and transporting nets and catches.
• Saginaw Bay: A large bay on the western side of Lake Huron, known for its role in Great Lakes maritime commerce.