Shipwreck Report: Alma

Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: Alma
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Build Date: 1855
• Builder: L. Berthy, Berthier, Quebec
• Official Number: 33430
• Dimensions: Length: 102 feet (31.1 meters)Beam: 22.5 feet (6.9 meters)Depth: 8.2 feet (2.5 meters)
• Tonnage: 180 tonnage (Old Style), 148 gross tons
• Final Location: Near Port Hope, Ontario, Lake Ontario
• Date of Loss: 1877

Vessel Type Description

The Alma was a wooden Schooner constructed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Equipped with two masts and a single Deck, the Schooner was versatile and well-suited for carrying bulk goods like salt. It represented a typical mid-19th-century Schooner, built robustly to navigate the challenging waters of Canada’s inland waterways.

History

The Alma was launched in 1855, built in Berthier, Quebec, by L. Berthy. Throughout its operational history, the vessel was involved in cargo transport, moving goods like salt and other staples essential for regional trade. The Schooner saw a variety of owners, reflecting the dynamic and often financially precarious nature of shipping on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

• 1857: Underwent significant repairs, demonstrating its early role in rigorous cargo transport.
• 1858: Ran aground in the St. Lawrence River while transporting salt but was successfully refloated and repaired in Kingston, Ontario.
• 1860-1863: Ownership shifted to Tranchemontagne & Co. in Berthier and later to James Chalmers in Montreal, Quebec.
• 1864: Experienced major repairs, possibly in response to damage sustained during its frequent voyages. At this time, the builder was recorded as LeBret from Sorel, Quebec.
• 1871: Owned by Dewe & Casey in Colborne, Ontario, continuing its active service in transporting goods.
• 1876: Ownership transitioned to Eccles et al. in Montreal, Quebec. By this time, its Gross Tonnage was listed as 140 tons.
• Final Ownership: In 1877, the Alma was recorded as owned by Thomas Casey from Adolphustown, Quebec.

Final Voyage and Disposition

The Alma met its end near Port Hope, Ontario, in Lake Ontario, during 1877. Specific details about its sinking or loss are not documented in the available records, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss that year. The lack of further information suggests the event was either uneventful or overshadowed by other contemporary maritime incidents.

Final Disposition

The vessel’s wreck remains undocumented in terms of location and condition. It is presumed that the Alma was either Abandoned or destroyed due to irreparable damage, consistent with the high risks of operating schooners on the Great Lakes during this period.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Alma has not been located or marked as a dive site. Its condition remains unknown, and any remnants are likely in poor shape due to the passage of time and exposure to environmental conditions.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships: General database for Great Lakes vessels.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive resource for historical maritime data.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Contains detailed shipwreck records, including the Alma.

Conclusion

The Alma stands as a testament to the perseverance of Great Lakes schooners in the face of environmental and economic challenges during the 19th century. From its beginnings in Berthier, Quebec, to its final days near Port Hope, Ontario, the Alma played an integral role in regional commerce. Its repeated repairs and changes in ownership underscore the importance of such vessels in sustaining trade in Canada’s developing economy. While its end is shrouded in ambiguity, the Alma remains a notable part of the Great Lakes’ maritime history.

Keywords Alma, Wooden Schooner, Berthier, Port Hope, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Salt Transport, 19th-Century Maritime History, St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario Shipwrecks.