Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ALIDE J. ROGERS
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: A. Bailey, Madison Dock, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 138 ft (42.06 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 340 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 16.15 m / 53 ft
- Location: Near Old Mission Point, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Approximately 4.5 miles off the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Captain Graham and others of Sandusky, Ohio
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner
Description
The ALIDE J. ROGERS was a wooden schooner constructed in 1862 by A. Bailey at Madison Dock, Ohio. Measuring 138 feet (42.06 metres) in length and registering 340 gross tons, she was designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. At the time of her final voyage, she was owned by Captain Graham and others of Sandusky, Ohio.
History
On October 8, 1898, the ALIDE J. ROGERS departed Elk Rapids, Michigan, bound for Sandusky, Ohio, carrying a cargo of 585 tons of pig iron. During the voyage, the vessel began leaking badly. Captain Frank Conlin decided to turn back near Cat Head Point. Realizing that reaching port was unlikely, he attempted to beach the schooner at Old Mission Point. However, the vessel foundered before reaching land. The crew managed to escape to the nearby lighthouse. Much of the cargo was later salvaged by the firm of Dexter & Noble of Elk Rapids.
Significant Incidents
- Struck a reef and foundered on October 9, 1898.
Final Disposition
The ALIDE J. ROGERS sank in 53 feet (16.15 metres) of water approximately 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometres) off the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. The wreck remains a site of interest for divers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the ALIDE J. ROGERS is located in 53 feet (16.15 metres) of water, approximately 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometres) off the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula in Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. It is accessible by boat and is a popular dive site.
Resources & Links
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The ALIDE J. ROGERS serves as a testament to the challenges faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Her sinking near Old Mission Point highlights the perils of maritime navigation in the region, particularly the risks posed by severe weather and structural vulnerabilities. Today, the wreck remains a point of interest for divers exploring the rich maritime history of Lake Michigan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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