IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: City of Alpena
• Type: Propeller Steam Tug
• Built: 1874 (Location uncertain: New Jerusalem, Ohio, or New Baltimore, Michigan)
• Dimensions:
• Length: 21.9 meters (72 feet)
• Beam: 5.2 meters (17 feet)
• Depth: 3 meters (10 feet)
• Gross Tonnage: 76 tons
• Owner: Initially D. Crippen (Alpena, Michigan), later George W. Colwell (AuSable, Michigan)
• Last Registered Port: Alpena, Michigan
• Final Location: Near Alcona, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Condition: Burned to the waterline, machinery salvaged, Total Loss
• Date of Loss: August 9, 1880

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Alpena was a propeller steam Tug, a vital asset for Great Lakes maritime operations during the late 19th century. Designed for towing and assisting vessels, these tugs were built for versatility and endurance, often operating in challenging weather conditions. The City of Alpena’s steel propulsion system and robust wooden Hull made it an integral part of Lake Huron’s maritime activity, particularly in towing larger ships through busy and occasionally treacherous waters.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

Built in 1874, the City of Alpena entered service a year later, beginning its operations on Lake Huron. While specific details about its builder remain uncertain, the vessel was likely constructed in either New Jerusalem, Ohio, or New Baltimore, Michigan. With a modest size and a Gross Tonnage of 76, the Tug played a critical role in local towing operations.

Notable Incidents

•October 10, 1876: Early in its career, the Tug collided with the Schooner Mt. Blanc on Lake Erie. Despite the damage, the City of Alpena was repaired and continued its service.

•1879: Ownership transferred to George W. Colwell of AuSable, Michigan, signaling a new chapter in its operations.

The Fateful Day

On August 9, 1880, tragedy struck as the Tug caught fire approximately half a mile offshore near Alcona, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The flames spread rapidly, consuming the wooden structure and forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

•Casualties: None; all crew members escaped safely.

•Damage: The fire left the Tug burned down to the waterline, rendering it a Total Loss.

Following the incident, the vessel’s documents were surrendered on September 30, 1880, at Port Huron, marking the end of its operational life. Salvage efforts led to the removal of the ship’s machinery on November 18, 1880, confirming the Tug’s fate as unsalvageable.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The City of Alpena was declared a Total Loss after its destruction by fire. With no significant wreckage left behind, the Tug’s remains were Abandoned near Alcona, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The salvaged machinery was the last recorded trace of the vessel.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Wreckage: No defined wreck site; the Tug was burned to the waterline.

•Location: Near Alcona, Michigan, Lake Huron, approximately half a mile offshore.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the City of Alpena’s wreck site. However, mariners are advised to be cautious in the area due to the general presence of historical shipwrecks in Lake Huron.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Bowling Green State University Archives
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The City of Alpena served as an indispensable part of Great Lakes maritime operations during its short lifespan. From its construction in 1874 to its untimely loss in 1880, the Tug contributed significantly to towing operations on Lake Huron. However, the fire that consumed the vessel highlights the risks faced by wooden steam-powered ships of the time.

The loss of the City of Alpena, though tragic, is an enduring reminder of the challenges of maritime life on the Great Lakes. Its story stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of the mariners who navigated these inland seas, often in the face of immense adversity.

Keywords: City of Alpena, Lake Huron Shipwreck, Maritime History, Steam Tug, Alcona Michigan, Great Lakes Wrecks, 19th-Century Tugboats.