Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

ALIDE J. ROGERS (1862–1898)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: ALIDE J. ROGERS
• Former Names: Also known as ALIDA JANE ROGERS, A.J. ROGERS
• Official Number: Not available
• Date Built and Launched: 1862
• Builder: A. Bailey, Madison Dock, Ohio
• Measurements:
  • Length: 138 feet (42.06 metres)
  • Gross Tonnage: 340 tons
• Date Lost: October 9, 1898
• Cause: Struck a reef and foundered
• Cargo at Time of Loss: 585 tons of pig iron
• Place of Loss: Near Old Mission Point, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan
• Loss of Life: None(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Fine Art America, Midland Daily News, XTREMESPOTS.COM, Drummond Island Tourism Association)

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.(Midland Daily News, XTREMESPOTS.COM)

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. (Drummond Island Tourism Association, XTREMESPOTS.COM)

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.(XTREMESPOTS.COM, Michigan)

Located By & Date Found

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. 

Notmars & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site of the ALIDE J. ROGERS in Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Alide J. Rodgers (1898)
• Michigan Shipwrecks Map – A.J. (Alida Jane) Rogers
• Drummond Island Tourism Association – A Diver’s Guide
• 3DShipwrecks – Sketchfab

Conclusion

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.(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ALIDE J. ROGERS, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1898, schooner, Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission Point
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Sailing Vessels
• Glossary Terms:
  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
  • Foundered: A term indicating that a vessel filled with water and sank.
  • Pig Iron: A form of iron that is cast into blocks and used as a raw material in steelmaking.

3D Model by 3D Shipwrecks

AJ Rogers by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

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