Identification & Site Information

• Name: ALABAMA
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None (pre-dating U.S. vessel registration requirements)
• Type at Loss: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer, passenger & package freight
• Date Built and Launched: 1848
• Builder: W. Gooding, Detroit, Michigan
• Measurements: Length: 234 ft (71.32 m) Beam: 29 ft (8.84 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.66 m)
• Tonnage: 799 tons
• Date Lost: August 28, 1854
• Place of Loss: Just outside the harbour at Buffalo, New York
• Lake: Erie

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Vessel Type

Wooden Sidewheel Steamer designed for passenger and package freight service on the Great Lakes.

Description

The ALABAMA was a large wooden sidewheel steamer, built in 1848 by W. Gooding in Detroit, Michigan. At 234 feet in length and nearly 800 tons, she was among the larger steamers of her era, built to accommodate both passengers and freight. Sidewheel steamers like the ALABAMA were common on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, providing critical transportation links for people and goods across the growing port cities.

History

The ALABAMA was operated out of Sandusky, Ohio, under the ownership of Burton, Hall & Russell, with Captain Thomas Jefferson Titus as her master. She was primarily engaged in passenger transport and package freight, a common dual-purpose role for steamers of the time. Steamers like the ALABAMA were essential for moving both people and commercial goods in the rapidly industrializing Great Lakes region.

On August 28, 1854, while departing from Buffalo, New York, bound for repairs further up the lake, the ALABAMA developed a significant leak shortly after leaving the dock. Despite the absence of rough weather or external damage, the leak quickly worsened, leading to the vessel sinking right in the harbour channel. The Tug HAMILTON MORTON managed to rescue the entire crew, and no lives were lost. Reports from the time indicated that the Hull of the ALABAMA was in very poor condition—described as “very rotten”—suggesting structural failure due to age and inadequate maintenance.

The wreck posed a navigational hazard, sitting directly in the channel outside Buffalo Harbour. In early September, the U.S. Navy’s iron Steamer Michigan attempted unsuccessfully to tow the ALABAMA out of the way. Later that month, the Schooner WATCHMAN inadvertently sailed between the arches of the submerged wreck without sustaining damage, highlighting both the unexpected presence of the wreck and the risk it posed to other vessels.

By September and October of 1855, the wreck was dismantled in place by I. Coffin of Buffalo until there was 30 feet (9.14 m) of clear water over the site, effectively eliminating it as a hazard.

Final Disposition

Sank due to Hull failure in Buffalo Harbour; dismantled in 1855 to clear the navigational channel.

Located By & Date Found

Nil (The wreck was dismantled shortly after sinking; no remaining structure is known to exist).

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil (The wreck was fully cleared by 1855, and no navigational obstructions remain at the site).

Resources & Links

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

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Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ALABAMA Sidewheel Steamer, Buffalo Harbour shipwreck, Lake Erie Steamship sinking, wooden Steamer Hull failure, Sandusky shipping history
• Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Early Great Lakes Steamers, Passenger and Freight Steamers, Maritime Disasters in Buffalo
• Glossary Terms:
• Sidewheel Steamer: A type of steam-powered vessel propelled by large paddle wheels mounted on either side of the Hull, commonly used in the 19th century.
• Hull Failure: A structural failure of the vessel’s Hull, often due to rot, age, or poor maintenance, leading to sinking.
• Dismantling: The process of breaking down and removing a wreck to clear navigational hazards.
• Package Freight: General cargo transported in smaller, individual packages rather than bulk commodities.

Conclusion

The ALABAMA’s sudden sinking in Buffalo Harbour highlights the risks associated with aging wooden vessels during the mid-19th century. Despite her size and importance as a passenger and freight Steamer, structural deterioration led to her untimely loss. The swift response to dismantle the wreck reflects the growing importance of maintaining safe navigational routes in the increasingly busy ports of the Great Lakes.