IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The ALABAMA was a sidewheel steamer, a type of steam-powered vessel characterized by large paddle wheels mounted on the sides of the ship. Sidewheel steamers were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, serving as vital links for both passenger transport and package freight across the inland waterways. The ALABAMA was a sizable steamer for its time, designed to carry a substantial number of passengers and cargo with relative speed and comfort.
HISTORY #
The ALABAMA was constructed in 1848 in Detroit, Michigan, by W. Gooding. Initially owned by Marshall Burton and other stakeholders from Sandusky, Ohio, the vessel was later sold to Borton, Hall & Russell, also based in Sandusky. The ALABAMA served primarily as a passenger and package freight steamer, navigating the Great Lakes under the command of Captain Thomas Jefferson Titus.
On August 28, 1854, the ALABAMA met with disaster shortly after departing from Buffalo, New York, where it was headed to Huron for repairs. The vessel, which was not carrying any cargo at the time, experienced severe hull failure just outside the Buffalo harbor. It began to take on water rapidly, and despite attempts to return to port, the ALABAMA sank in the channel approximately 1.5 miles from the lighthouse pier, in about 30 feet of water.
The cause of the sinking was later attributed to the vessel’s rotting hull, with reports indicating that one of the planks had come loose, leading to the catastrophic leak. The crew was rescued by the tug HAMILTON MORTON, and fortunately, there were no casualties.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Following the sinking, salvage operations were initiated by Mr. Isaac Coffin of Buffalo in September and October of 1855. The salvage team managed to recover some valuable items, including the steam pipes and parts of the engine, as well as the boilers. However, the hull was found to be in such a decayed state that it was impossible to salvage, and the remaining wreckage was dismantled to clear the channel and prevent navigation hazards.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
- Located by: Salvage operations led by Isaac Coffin in 1855.
- Date of Discovery: September-October 1855.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently issued for the wreck site of the ALABAMA. The site is not considered a navigational hazard today due to the depth and the dismantling of the wreck.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
CONCLUSION #
The ALABAMA was a significant example of the sidewheel steamers that played a crucial role in the transportation networks of the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Its unfortunate sinking off the coast of Buffalo, New York, underscores the challenges faced by vessels of this era, particularly as they aged and became more susceptible to structural failures. The salvage efforts that followed highlight the importance of maintaining navigable waterways, even at the expense of older vessels. Today, the story of the ALABAMA serves as a historical reminder of the early days of steam-powered transportation on the Great Lakes.
ALABAMA sidewheel steamer, Lake Erie shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipwrecks, steam-powered vessels, Buffalo New York, shipwreck preservation, maritime salvage operations.
