Identification & Site Information

• • Name: Algoma
• • Registry Number: Not available
• • Date Built and Launched: 1918
• • Measurements:
• • Length: 79.6 feet (24.3 metres)
• • Width: 31.6 feet (9.6 metres)
• • Depth: 7.4 feet (2.3 metres)
• • Date Lost: November 18, 1919

Vessel Type

Dredge Barge

Description

The Algoma was a wooden-hulled steam Dredge constructed in 1918, likely at the Manitowoc Shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Owned by the McMullen & Pitz Sand and Gravel Company, the vessel featured a large crane and steam machinery, enabling it to perform dredging operations essential for maintaining navigable waterways and supporting construction projects along the Great Lakes.

History

Dredge barges like the Algoma played a crucial role in the early 20th century, facilitating the expansion of maritime commerce by deepening and maintaining channels, harbors, and other navigable waters. The Algoma was instrumental in such operations, contributing to the economic development of the Great Lakes region.

Final Disposition

On November 18, 1919, while under tow by the Tug Arctic along with two dump scows, the Algoma encountered severe weather conditions off the coast of Cleveland, Wisconsin, situated between Sheboygan and Manitowoc. The heavy seas caused the Dredge to roll and become swamped. The five crew members aboard managed to transfer safely to the Tug Arctic, after which the Dredge was cut loose and subsequently sank in 85 feet (25.9 metres) of water. 

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Algoma was discovered in 1984 by diver Steve Radovan. It rests upright on the lakebed in Lake Michigan, approximately 8 miles (12.9 kilometres) northeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. 

NOTMARs & Advisories

The wreck site is a popular destination for intermediate-level divers due to its depth and intact structure. Divers should exercise caution due to potential underwater hazards and are advised to adhere to preservation guidelines to protect the historical integrity of the site. 

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Algoma (McMullen & Pitz Dredge) (1918): 

• Shipwreck Explorers: McMullen & Pitz Dredge Algoma: 

• 3D Shipwrecks: Algoma Dredge Barge: 

Conclusion

The Algoma serves as a significant example of early 20th-century dredging vessels that were vital to the maintenance and development of the Great Lakes’ navigational channels. Its well-preserved wreck offers insights into the construction and operation of such vessels during that era.

Keywords: Algoma Dredge, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, McMullen & Pitz, maritime history, underwater archaeology

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, Early 20th-Century Dredges

Glossary Terms:

• Dredge Barge: A flat-bottomed vessel equipped with machinery for excavating and removing sediment from the bottom of water bodies to maintain navigable waterways.

• Crane Boom: The projecting arm of a crane used to support and move loads.

• Spuds: Vertical steel shafts or piles used to anchor a Dredge Barge in position during operations.

Algoma Shipwreck

Lake Michigan, near Cleveland, WI

The remains of the Dredge Barge Algoma, which sank in 1919, lie in 85 feet of water off the coast of Cleveland, Wisconsin.