Identification & Site Information

• Name: Algoma
• Former Names: Unknown
• Official Number: Unknown
• Date Built and Launched: Unknown
• Builder: Unknown
• Vessel Type: Wooden Dredge Barge
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Unknown
• Date Lost: November 18, 1918
• Place of Loss: Manitowoc Harbour, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm (Foundered)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None

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Vessel Type:
Wooden dredge barge, a type of vessel commonly used in harbor maintenance and construction, particularly for dredging sediment to keep waterways navigable.

Description:
Details regarding the construction and specifications of the Algoma are currently unknown. As a dredge barge, she was equipped with machinery for dredging operations, essential for maintaining harbor depths and facilitating safe navigation for larger vessels. These barges typically had flat bottoms for stability and were often towed into position by tugs.

History:
There is little recorded information about the Algoma‘s operational history. As a Dredge Barge, she would have been engaged in harbor maintenance work, operating in and around Manitowoc Harbor, a key port on the western shore of Lake Michigan known for its shipbuilding and industrial activities.

Final Voyage and Loss:
On November 18, 1918, the Algoma Foundered in Manitowoc Harbor during a storm. The specific circumstances of the sinking, including whether the Barge was under tow or anchored at the time, remain unclear. The records do not indicate whether there were any fatalities associated with the sinking, and it is possible that the Barge was unmanned during the storm, as Dredge barges often had minimal or no crew when not actively operating.

Final Disposition:
The Algoma Foundered in Manitowoc Harbor and was left submerged. It is unclear whether salvage efforts were undertaken or if the wreck remains in the harbor today.

Located By & Date Found:
No confirmed modern discovery or detailed documentation of the wreck site has been reported.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No specific navigational hazards related to the Algoma have been reported for Manitowoc Harbor, though mariners are advised to consult current charts for any underwater obstructions.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Algoma is one of many working vessels that met their end in the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes. While little is known about her construction or service history, her loss in 1918 during a storm in Manitowoc Harbour reflects the ever-present risks faced by even stationary or near-shore vessels. Further research and potential discovery of the wreck would provide more insight into this unassuming but essential part of Great Lakes maritime history.

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Keywords: Dredge Barge, Manitowoc Harbor, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, Foundered Vessel, Harbour Maintenance
Categories: Great Lakes Work Vessels, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Harbor Dredging Operations
Glossary Terms: Dredge Barge, Foundering, Harbour Maintenance, Unmanned Vessel