Shipwreck Report: Steamer Alfred P. Wright (1888–1915)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Alfred P. Wright
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 106539
• Vessel Type: Wooden Bulk Freight Steamer (Propeller-Driven)
• Built: 1888, by T. Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, Ohio
• Final Location: Portage Ship Canal, near White City, Michigan, Lake Superior
• Date Lost: November 16, 1915
• Cause: Fire – Burned to a Total Loss while sheltering from a storm
• Final Cargo: Wheat
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications  Length: 286 feet (87.2 meters)  Beam: 42 feet (12.8 meters)  Depth: 22 feet (6.7 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 2,207 gross tons,
• Net Tonnage 1,899 net tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Propulsion: Single-screw propeller (steam-powered)
• Owner: Buckeye Steamship Co., Cleveland, Ohio
• Master at Loss: Captain George E. Benham

Operational History

The Alfred P. Wright was a large wooden bulk freight Steamer built in 1888 by T. Quayle & Sons in Cleveland, Ohio. She was part of the final generation of wooden steam freighters, built when steel-hulled vessels were beginning to dominate the Great Lakes.

• The ship primarily carried bulk cargo such as grain, iron ore, and coal, making regular voyages between ports on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie.
• She was owned by the Buckeye Steamship Co., a Cleveland-based shipping company, which operated several freighters on the lakes.
• Despite her large size and power, the wooden Hull made her more vulnerable to fire and structural stress, especially compared to steel-hulled ships of the era.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 16, 1915)

• Route & Purpose: The Alfred P. Wright was carrying a load of wheat when she encountered a severe autumn storm on Lake Superior.  Seeking refuge, she entered the Portage Ship Canal, near White City, Michigan (in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula).
• Fire Breaks Out: While anchored in the canal, a fire started in the ship’s coal bunkers. The flames spread rapidly through the wooden structure, making it impossible to contain.
• Escape & Aftermath: The entire crew, including Captain George E. Benham, escaped safely. The fire burned the vessel to a Total Loss, leaving her charred remains floating in the canal. After removing her machinery, the hulk was towed near the South Entry of the canal, where it eventually sank.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

•  Location: Near the South Entry of the Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior (near White City, Michigan)
• Current Condition: The wreck remains partially submerged near the canal’s South Entry. Since her machinery was removed, only the burned wooden Hull and structural remnants remain. Over the years, Lake Superior’s cold waters may have helped preserve some parts of the wreck.
• Diving & Exploration Potential: The shallow location makes it accessible to divers and researchers. The wooden Hull may have deteriorated significantly, but artifacts from the ship may still be present.Given that many Lake Superior shipwrecks remain well-preserved due to cold freshwater, pieces of the ship may still be identifiable.

Legacy and Significance

• One of the Last Large Wooden Bulk Freight Steamers By 1915, steel-hulled ships had largely replaced wooden freighters. The Alfred P. Wright represents one of the last wooden bulk carriers to operate on the Great Lakes before fire and structural weaknesses ended their service.
• Another Fire Victim on the Great Lakes Fires were a common threat to wooden steamers, especially those carrying coal or equipped with outdated fire suppression systems. Many ships, including the Alfred P. Wright, were lost to accidental fires while anchored or under repair.
• A Piece of Portage Ship Canal History The Portage Ship Canal was an important shortcut across Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, allowing ships to avoid the rough waters of Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
•  The wreck of the Alfred P. Wright is one of several shipwrecks in the canal’s vicinity, marking it as a historically significant location for Great Lakes maritime history.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical records of Great Lakes steamers and shipwrecks.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Showcases shipwrecks lost to fire and storms on the Great Lakes.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Focuses on wreck discovery and historical research in Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
• Keweenaw National Historical Park Preserves local Great Lakes shipping history and wrecks near the Portage Ship Canal.

Conclusion

The Alfred P. Wright was a large wooden bulk freight Steamer built in 1888, serving Great Lakes grain and coal trade for over 25 years. She met her fate on November 16, 1915, when a fire in her coal bunkers destroyed the vessel while she was sheltering from a storm in the Portage Ship Canal.

After her machinery was removed, her wreck was towed near the South Entry, where remnants still exist today. As one of the last large wooden bulk freighters, the Alfred P. Wright remains an important part of Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the transition from wooden to steel ships and the dangers of fire aboard steam vessels.