Wreck Report: Steam Yacht ELVA (Formerly GLAD TIDINGS)

Identification & Site Information

• •Original Name: GLAD TIDINGS
• •Later Name: ELVA
• •Vessel Type: Steam Yacht
• •Year Built: 1889
• •Place Built: Chicago, Illinois
• •Tonnage:
• •1889 (GLAD TIDINGS): Gross 81.33 tons, Net 61.77 tons
• •1896 (ELVA): Gross 85 tons, Net 50 tons
• •1914 (ELVA): Gross 85 tons, Net 50 tons
• U.S. Registration Number: 86059
• Home Port (1914): Marquette, Michigan
• Crew: 8 members

•Dimensions:

• •Length: 70.6 to 90.5 feet (21.5 to 27.6 meters)
• •Breadth: 18.1 to 18.5 feet (5.5 to 5.6 meters)
• •Depth: 9.0 to 9.2 feet (2.7 to 2.8 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The ELVA was a steam yacht originally built for private and leisure use, later adapted for passenger services. Its robust design and versatile configuration allowed it to transition between functions while maintaining a reputation as a reliable vessel. The yacht was outfitted with steam propulsion, providing efficient service in various waters, including those of the Great Lakes.

History

The vessel, launched in 1889 as the GLAD TIDINGS, served primarily as a private yacht with an elegant design befitting its era. In 1894, it retained its original specifications and continued its operations under the same name.

In 1896, the vessel was renamed ELVA, keeping its U.S. Registration Number 86059. Its Gross Tonnage increased slightly to 85 tons, while its Net Tonnage decreased to 50 tons. This marked its transition into a passenger service vessel, catering to regional needs with an eight-member crew. The vessel was versatile, offering both transportation and leisure services.

By 1914, the ELVA had become an integral part of the maritime landscape, with its home port listed as Marquette, Michigan. Despite its age, it continued to serve reliably, highlighting its durable construction and adaptability.

Final Disposition

Details regarding the ELVA’s ultimate fate remain unknown or undocumented. Its robust service history and various configurations suggest it likely served its owners well into the 20th century, possibly being retired or repurposed as technology and market demands evolved.

Significance

The ELVA is a fine example of a vessel adapting to changing roles over its operational life, reflecting the versatility required of Great Lakes Ships during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From a luxurious steam yacht to a passenger service vessel, its longevity and utility underscored its historical importance to regional maritime activity.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Database: Great Lakes Ships
• 3D Shipwrecks – Elva

3D Model – Elva

Conclusion

The Steam Yacht ELVA, originally the GLAD TIDINGS, stands as a testament to the evolution of Great Lakes vessels. With its transitions from private leisure to passenger service, the vessel’s history showcases the adaptability of maritime technology and the dynamic needs of Great Lakes navigation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Keywords

•Steam Yacht ELVA

•GLAD TIDINGS

•Marquette Michigan

•Great Lakes passenger vessel

•19th-century Steamship history