SHIPWRECK REPORT

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: ALVA B
• Type: Steam Tug
• Date of Incident: November 1, 1917
• Location: Avon Point, Ohio, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: 41° 30.768’ N, 82° 01.894’ W
• Depth: 12 feet (3 meters)
• Condition: Wreckage scattered; vessel sits upright with a steam boiler rising close to the water’s surface.
• Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified; previously owned by various towing companies, including Great Lakes Towing Co. and American Towing Co.
• VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION The ALVA B was a wooden steam-powered Tug constructed in 1890 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. It featured: Length: 73.50 feet (22.4 meters) Beam (Width): 18.42 feet (5.6 meters) Depth: 10.50 feet (3.2 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 83 tons
• Net Tonnage: 41 tons
• Hull Material: Wood

The Tug served primarily as a towing vessel, assisting larger ships in navigating the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The ALVA B had a notable operational history, marked by maritime incidents and resilience:

1898 Incident: The Tug sank after a collision with the Steamer City of Detroit but was salvaged and returned to service.

Final Incident – 1917: On November 1, 1917, the ALVA B Foundered during a severe storm near Avon Point, Ohio, while not carrying cargo. The eight crew members aboard survived. The vessel’s long layup in Sandusky, Ohio, where it reportedly dried out, may have contributed to its structural vulnerability.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ALVA B sank during the storm and was declared a Total Loss. Today, the wreck lies at a shallow depth of 12 feet (3 meters), scattered across the lakebed. The vessel sits upright, and the steam boiler rises dangerously close to the water’s surface, especially during low water levels.

Artifacts, including the propeller, anchor, and Anchor Chain, have been salvaged and displayed in locations such as:

• Miller Road Park, Avon Lake
• Aqua Marine Resort

The wreck is a site of historical and ecological significance.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) exist for the ALVA B wreck. Mariners and divers should remain cautious due to the shallow depth and the exposed steam boiler, which can pose hazards during low water conditions.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ALVA B was documented shortly after its sinking in 1917. It remains a known site for divers and maritime historians.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The ALVA B is accessible to divers, snorkelers, and even waders in low water periods due to its shallow depth. The wreckage, while scattered, remains a point of interest for exploration. Additionally:

• Ecological Habitat: The wreck has become home to various Lake Erie fish species, attracting anglers to the area.
• Cautions for Exploration: Explorers should be vigilant of the boiler’s proximity to the surface and scattered wreckage.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Ohio Shipwrecks Database
• Detroit Free Press, October 3, 1889
• Erie Wrecks Guidebook
• Bowling Green State University Shipwreck Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships – Alva B
• Google Maps – Point Avon Wreck Site

CONCLUSION

The ALVA B served the Great Lakes region for nearly 30 years before its tragic loss during a storm in 1917. While the wreckage now lies in shallow waters off Avon Point, Ohio, the site has become a significant historical landmark and an ecological hub. Artifacts salvaged from the Tug, combined with the wreck’s accessibility, ensure that the story of the ALVA B continues to captivate divers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts alike.

TAGS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #SteamTug #ALVAB #MaritimeHistory #AvonPoint #UnderwaterExploration #ErieWrecks