Shipwreck Report: Alva Bradley

Identification & Site Information

• • Name(s): Alva Bradley
• • Registry: United States
• • Official Number: 1910
• • Vessel Type: Schooner
• • Year Built: 1870
• • Year Sank: 1894
• • Hull Material: Wood
• • Masts: None remaining at the site
• • Engines: None

Dimensions

• • Length: 190 ft (57.9 m)
• • Width: 32 ft (9.8 m)
• • Depth: 13 ft (4 m)
• Vessel History

The Alva Bradley, a wooden Schooner, was built in 1870 for use in the Great Lakes shipping trade. It carried bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, and other goods crucial to the region’s economy. The vessel’s career ended in 1894 when it sank in Lake Michigan near North Manitou Island.

This Schooner is part of the rich Maritime History of the Great Lakes, showcasing the significance of these versatile vessels in 19th-century commerce. Over time, the wreck has succumbed to natural forces, altering its state and preserving its legacy as a historical and recreational site.

For full historical details:

• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Manitou Underwater Preserve
• 3D Shipwrecks – Ava Bradley

Wreck Site Information

• • Lake: Michigan
• • State/Province: Michigan
• • Depth: 30 ft (9.1 m)
• • GPS Coordinates: 45° 02.356′ N, 85° 59.116′ W

Site Description:

The Alva Bradley lies on a sandy shoal south of North Manitou Island. Natural forces have flattened much of the wreck, but major sections remain extant and visible. Notable features of the site include remnants of the Hull and scattered wreckage. Additional rigging and other debris, reported approximately 200 yards northeast of the primary wreck site, are not part of the primary underwater model.

Dive Considerations

• • Depth: At 30 ft (9.1 m), the site is accessible to divers of all skill levels.
• • Accessibility: The shallow depth and clear waters around North Manitou Island make it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.
• • Visibility: Generally good, thanks to the sandy bottom and natural water clarity.
• • Noteworthy Features: The Hull remnants and reported debris field northeast of the wreck site offer areas of exploration.

Keywords, Categories & Glossary

• Keywords: Alva Bradley, Schooner, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, North Manitou Island, Maritime History

• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Wooden Vessels, 19th-Century Schooners

• Glossary:

• Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with fore-and-aft rigging, widely used for cargo transport in the 19th century.

• Shoal: A sandy or rocky underwater elevation, often near islands or shorelines.

• Debris Field: Scattered wreckage or remains of a vessel, often extending beyond the main wreck site.

Let me know if you’d like maps, additional wreck reports, or related information!

3d Model – Ava Bradley