Shipwreck Report: ALMEDA (also known as ALAMEDA)

Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: ALMEDA (also known as ALAMEDA)

•Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge

•Build Date: 1847

•Builder: St. Joseph, Michigan

•Dimensions: Not specifically documented

•Tonnage: 216 tons

•Final Location: Near Pelee Island, Lake Erie

•Date of Incident: May 22, 1880

•Depth: Not documented

•Condition: Total Loss after sinking, cargo recovered by the scow RUSSIA

•Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified, but associated with Buffalo, New York

Vessel Type Description

The ALMEDA was a wooden Schooner-Barge, a vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk goods, particularly lumber. Schooner-barges like the ALMEDA were equipped with sails and were often towed by steamers to maximize cargo capacity. The vessel underwent significant rebuilds and repairs throughout its operational life to extend its serviceability.

History

The ALMEDA had an extensive and eventful career before its final loss:

•1847: Constructed in St. Joseph, Michigan.

•1863: Major repairs conducted.

•1864: Sank near Buffalo, New York, but was successfully recovered.

•1867: Enlarged and Rebuilt in Conneaut, Ohio.

•1873 & 1878: Undergone additional rebuilds.

•November 1877: Suffered major damage during a storm, breaking its back and being Abandoned, but later salvaged.

•September 1878: Experienced a devastating storm that led to the loss of all six crew members.

•November 1877: Driven ashore near New Glasgow, Ontario, and rescued by the Tug WINSLOW, highlighting tensions between Canadian and American salvage operators.

Final Incident: May 22, 1880

The ALMEDA met its end in a severe storm near Pelee Island on Lake Erie. The storm wrenched off the Stern of the vessel while it was anchored, causing it to sink. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in this incident. At the time of the loss, the Schooner-Barge was carrying a load of lumber, which was later salvaged by the scow RUSSIA a few days after the wreck.

Final Disposition

The ALMEDA was declared a Total Loss following the storm. While its cargo was recovered, the vessel itself was never salvaged and remains lost near Pelee Island.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have been issued for the wreck of the ALMEDA, and the site is not regarded as a navigational hazard. Its exact location remains undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck’s condition is unknown. Given the time elapsed and the presumed Total Loss, any remains are likely in a state of severe deterioration. The precise location and depth of the wreck have not been documented, and it is not an accessible dive site.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The ALMEDA, later referred to as ALAMEDA, endured a long history of maritime service, multiple rebuilds, and numerous incidents before succumbing to a storm near Pelee Island in 1880. Its legacy underscores the resilience and challenges of Schooner-Barge operations during the era of Great Lakes lumber trade. The story of the ALMEDA serves as a vivid reminder of the hazards faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes.

Tags

#ALMEDA | #ALAMEDA | #LakeErie | #Shipwreck | #SchoonerBarge | #PeleeIsland | #GreatLakesHistory | #LumberTrade | #HistoricalMaritime | #DavidSwayzeFile