SHIPWRECK REPORT: ALZORA (ALSO SPELLED ABZORA)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: Alzora (also spelled Abzora)
• Type: Wooden Schooner (Scow-Schooner)
• Year Built: 1864
• Builder: W. Marlott, Kingsville, Ontario
• Specifications: Length: 62 feet (18.9 meters) Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters) Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 33 tons
• Official Number: C73916
• Final Location: 1.5 miles from the lighthouse, south side of Long Point, Lake Erie
• Date of Wreck: October 21, 1895

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Alzora was a wooden Schooner, later categorized as a scow-Schooner due to its flat-bottomed design, which was typical for vessels of its type. Schooners like the Alzora were widely used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargoes, including timber and agricultural goods. Its design and modest size made it ideal for navigating shallow waters and harbors.

HISTORY

The Alzora was built in 1864 by W. Marlott in Kingsville, Ontario. Initially used for regional trade, the Schooner experienced multiple incidents during its operational life, indicating the challenges of maritime travel in the Great Lakes.

Notable Incidents:

• 1869: The vessel went ashore near Kingsville, Ontario, and was reported as a Total Loss. Despite this, the Alzora was salvaged and Rebuilt, resuming service on the lakes.
• 1872: Underwent significant repairs and lengthening at Pegg & Shaw’s shipyard, Kingsville, enhancing its dimensions and operational capacity.
• 1876: Owned by Peter Hagbloom of Port Dover, Ontario.
• 1879: Ownership transferred to Hoppograft of Port Dover.
• 1884: Owned by Haggeblom of Port Burwell, Ontario.
• 1886: Charles Haggeblom of Port Burwell became the owner.

Throughout its history, the Alzora was actively engaged in cargo transportation, making it an essential part of regional trade networks.

Final Voyage:

On October 21, 1895, the Alzora encountered heavy weather near Long Point, Lake Erie. The vessel went ashore approximately 1.5 miles from the lighthouse on the south side of Long Point. Details about the cargo, crew, and any potential loss of life during the wreck are not provided in available records. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, marking the end of its service.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Alzora was wrecked during a storm and ran aground near Long Point in 1895. It was deemed irrecoverable, and no further records of salvage or recovery efforts exist. The wreck’s location and remnants remain undocumented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the Alzora’s wreck site. The exact coordinates and condition of the wreck are not detailed, making it difficult to identify any present navigational hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Alzora is presumed to lie 1.5 miles south of Long Point Lighthouse, Lake Erie. The site has not been extensively surveyed, and its precise location and condition remain unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Alzora has not been documented or located in modern records. The vessel likely deteriorated over time due to environmental factors, and no significant remnants are believed to remain accessible for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Contains records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of historical maritime information.
• Great Lakes Ships: Detailed information on Great Lakes vessels.
• Library and Archives Canada: Maritime records.
• The History of the Great Lakes: Chronicles shipping history.
• Marsh Collection: Archival data on Great Lakes shipping and shipwrecks.

KEYWORDS Alzora, Abzora, Schooner, scow-Schooner, Lake Erie shipwrecks, Long Point, Great Lakes maritime history, Kingsville shipbuilding, Port Burwell.

CONCLUSION

The Alzora was a testament to the resilience of wooden schooners operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite enduring multiple rebuilds and ownership changes, the vessel met its final demise during heavy weather near Long Point in 1895. While details about the wreck remain scarce, the Alzora’s story contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, reflecting both the opportunities and risks faced by those who navigated these challenging waters.