ALTON 203057

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name: ALTON
Type: Gas Screw Passenger Launch
Date of Incident: 1921
Location: Specific location not documented; presumed to have operated in the Sandusky, Ohio area
Coordinates: Not available
Depth: Not documented
Condition: The vessel was completely destroyed by fire and considered a total loss.
Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified; originally registered in Sandusky, Ohio.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The ALTON was a gas screw passenger launch constructed in 1905 by J. Pouliot in Sandusky, Ohio. The vessel had the following dimensions:

Length: 42 feet
Beam (Width): 9 feet 3 inches
Depth: 4 feet
Gross Tonnage: 7 tons
Net Tonnage: 6 tons
Hull Material: Wood

The ALTON was registered in the United States under the official number 203057 and primarily operated as a passenger launch, likely providing transportation services on the waters around Sandusky, Ohio.

HISTORY #

The ALTON was built and launched in 1905 and received its first official enrollment in Sandusky, Ohio, on June 9, 1906. The vessel was used as a passenger launch, which indicates it likely served local communities and possibly tourists, providing short-distance water transport.

Final Incident – 1921: In 1921, the ALTON was destroyed by a fire. The details surrounding the cause of the fire, whether it occurred while in operation or while docked, are not provided in the historical records. The fire completely consumed the vessel, rendering it a total loss. There is no information available on whether there were any casualties or if the vessel was carrying passengers or cargo at the time of the incident.

Following the fire, the vessel was officially listed as “abandoned” in 1923, marking the end of its service life.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The ALTON was declared a total loss due to the fire that occurred in 1921. The vessel was subsequently listed as “abandoned” in 1923, indicating that it was no longer in service and was likely beyond salvage. The precise location of the wreck or any remaining parts of the vessel is not documented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. The ALTON was completely destroyed by fire, and no significant wreckage is known to remain that would pose a hazard to navigation.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the ALTON was reported following its destruction by fire in 1921. However, specific details regarding the location of the wreck are not available, and it is presumed that any remains were minimal due to the nature of the incident.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The ALTON was completely destroyed by fire, and no significant remains of the vessel are known to exist. The vessel was officially abandoned in 1923, and there is no documentation of any salvage or recovery efforts. The site, if any remains exist, is not documented and is likely not accessible or of significant interest for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime logs, and newspaper archives.
Further Reading:

CONCLUSION #

The ALTON was a small passenger launch that served the Sandusky, Ohio, area in the early 20th century. Its history is a reminder of the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels, particularly those powered by early gas engines, to fire hazards. The complete destruction of the ALTON by fire in 1921 marks the end of its brief but significant contribution to local water transportation.