History
The Algoma, an American Great Lakes propeller ship, was built in 1883 by Aitken & Mansell in Glasgow, Scotland, for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. With a length of 262 feet, a beam of 38 feet, and a depth of 23 feet, it measured 1750 tons upon its original construction. The ship was powered by a compound steam engine and had two masts as a contingency measure in case of engine failure. It was designed to accommodate 240 first-class passengers and 500 in steerage, making it a significant passenger vessel on the Great Lakes.
The Canadian Pacific Railway ordered three identical ships from Aitken & Mansell: the Athabasca, Alberta, and Algoma. These ships were intended to operate as passenger vessels between Thunder Bay on Lake Superior and Owen Sound on Lake Huron. After crossing the Atlantic and arriving in Montreal, Quebec, the Algoma, along with its sister ships, had to be cut in half to pass through the Welland Canal, rejoining in Buffalo, New York. The cabins were expanded during the winter of 1883–1884, including the installation of electric lighting, making the Algoma and its sister ships likely the first electrified Great Lakes ships. The newly outfitted Algoma was relaunched on May 11, 1884.
The Algoma set time records for its runs on the Great Lakes, including the journey from Toronto to Thunder Bay in an “unprecedented short time of 47 hours.” However, there were concerns about prioritizing speed over safety, and the Alberta was involved in a collision in July 1884, resulting in the loss of three lives.
On November 5, 1885, the Algoma set sail from Owen Sound to Thunder Bay with a reduced number of passengers and cargo, likely due to the lateness of the season and the opening of a rail route around Lake Superior. The ship encountered a blinding snowstorm in Lake Superior, which caused it to drift off course. Early on November 7, the Algoma ran aground on the southeast shore of Mott Island off Isle Royale. The ship broke in two, with the stern grounded and the bow drifting away. Tragically, 46 people lost their lives in the wreck, including the captain, and only 14 individuals survived.
The cause of the wreck remains uncertain, but the severe storm and grounding likely played major roles. In the aftermath of the disaster, bodies and cargo were located over the subsequent months. Salvage efforts were attempted, but the machinery of the Algoma was eventually recovered and transferred to another ship, the Manitoba, in 1889.
The Algoma’s wreck remains an important part of Great Lakes maritime history, with the incident serving as a somber reminder of the dangers and challenges faced by ships and crews navigating these vast waters.
