IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: ALTON

•Type: Gas Screw Passenger Launch

•Built: 1905 by J. Pouliot, Sandusky, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 42 feet (12.8 meters)

•Beam: 9 feet 3 inches (2.8 meters)

•Depth: 4 feet (1.2 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 7 tons

•Net Tonnage: 6 tons

•Hull Material: Wood

•Official Number: 203057

•Home Port: Sandusky, Ohio

•Final Location: Not documented; presumed in Sandusky, Ohio area

•Date of Wreck: 1921

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ALTON was a small wooden Gas Screw passenger launch built in 1905. Its compact design and light tonnage made it suitable for short-distance passenger transport, likely catering to local communities and tourists around Sandusky, Ohio. The vessel represented an era of emerging gas-powered watercraft designed for efficiency and convenience on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The ALTON was launched in 1905, receiving its first official enrollment on June 9, 1906, in Sandusky, Ohio. Serving as a passenger launch, the vessel played a modest role in facilitating regional transportation.

Final Incident:

In 1921, the ALTON was completely destroyed by fire. Historical records do not provide specific details about the circumstances of the fire, whether it occurred during operation or while docked. No casualties or injuries were recorded, and the incident led to the Total Loss of the vessel.

By 1923, the vessel was officially listed as “Abandoned,” marking the end of its operational history.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ALTON was declared a Total Loss due to the fire. Any remaining wreckage is undocumented and presumed minimal, given the nature of the destruction. The vessel was officially “Abandoned” in 1923.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the ALTON exist. The complete destruction of the vessel by fire rendered it a non-hazardous wreck for navigation.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The vessel’s destruction was reported in 1921. However, the wreck’s specific location remains undocumented, and no significant remains have been identified or located.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the nature of its destruction by fire, no substantial remains of the ALTON are expected. The vessel is not considered accessible or noteworthy as a dive site or for exploration purposes.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Bowling Green State University Shipwreck Database

CONCLUSION

The ALTON serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities of early 20th-century wooden gas-powered vessels. Its destruction by fire in 1921 underscores the risks associated with this emerging propulsion technology. Despite its relatively brief service, the vessel contributed to the maritime landscape of Sandusky, Ohio, and adds to the tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.

TAGS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #PassengerLaunch #ALTON #HistoricalShipwreck #WoodenVessels #SanduskyOhio