IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Alice L

•Vessel Type: Gas Tug and Fish Tug

•Build Year: 1911

•Builder: Unknown

•Build Location: Crescent, Michigan (North Manitou Island)

•Official Number: 208703

•Dimensions:

•Length: 26 feet (7.9 meters)

•Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters)

•Depth: 4 feet (1.2 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 9 tons

•Net Tonnage: 8 tons

•Home Port: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

•Owner: Ashley R. Adair

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Alice L was a small, wooden gas-powered Tug primarily used for fishing and miscellaneous services on Lake Superior. Such vessels were common in the early 20th century, providing vital services for the local economy, including transportation, fishing, and small-scale towing. The Alice L’s size and gas propulsion system made it well-suited for operating in the often-turbulent waters of Lake Superior.

HISTORY

The Alice L was launched in 1911 from Crescent, Michigan, on North Manitou Island. It served as a fish Tug and general-purpose vessel, playing a role in the economic activities of the Great Lakes, particularly in the Sault Ste. Marie region.

•August 30, 1928: The Alice L Foundered at Grand Portal, Lake Superior. One person was aboard during the incident, but there were no fatalities. The circumstances surrounding this event are unclear, though the vessel was recovered and returned to service.

•December 2, 1929: The Alice L encountered its final tragedy east of Grand Marais, Michigan, on Lake Superior during a storm. The vessel was lost, resulting in the tragic death of one individual. The specifics of the sinking are not detailed, but the stormy conditions on Lake Superior likely played a critical role.

The Alice L’s loss marked the end of its service, a common fate for vessels operating on the unpredictable and dangerous waters of the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Date of Loss: December 2, 1929

•Location: East of Grand Marais, Michigan, Lake Superior

•Circumstances: Lost in a storm; one life was tragically lost.

•Current Status: The wreck location and condition are not documented in the available records.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are associated with the Alice L.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive data on vessels and incidents across the Great Lakes.

CONCLUSION

The story of the Alice L is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Lake Superior. A small yet essential vessel for its time, it endured the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes for nearly two decades before succumbing to a violent storm in 1929. The Alice L exemplifies the risks faced by mariners on the Great Lakes and serves as a reminder of the vital role such vessels played in the region’s economy and culture.

KEYWORDS

Alice L vessel, Lake Superior shipwrecks, gas-powered Tug, fish Tug history, Grand Marais shipwreck, Ashley R. Adair, Sault Ste. Marie maritime history, Great Lakes small vessels, Grand Portal foundering, 1929 storm loss.