Almira U29358

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Almira
Official Number: 29358
Type: Wooden scow schooner
Tonnage: 80.35 tons (old measurement system); later recorded at 76 tons and 78.69 tons
Length: 84.9 feet (25.9 meters)
Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Construction: Wooden hull, single deck, two masts
Year Built: 1849
Builder: J. Curtis, Black River, Ohio, USA
Owners: Multiple, including John Mullen (Racine, Wisconsin), M. O’Connor (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and other entities in Milwaukee
Home Ports: Cleveland, Ohio; Sandusky, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Date of Wreck: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Almira was a scow schooner, a type of flat-bottomed vessel designed for shallow waters and often used for transporting bulk cargo. Built in 1849 by J. Curtis in Black River, Ohio, the Almira featured a wooden hull, a single deck, and two masts. With dimensions of 84.9 feet in length, 20 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth, the vessel was robust and versatile, making it well-suited for navigating the Great Lakes and handling a variety of freight.

HISTORY #

The Almira served as a reliable workhorse on the Great Lakes for several decades, undergoing numerous ownership changes and shifts in its operational base throughout its career. Initially enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, the vessel was involved in local and regional trade, transporting goods between ports.

On September 6, 1849, early in its career, the Almira ran ashore in Ashtabula, Ohio. Despite this incident, the vessel continued to operate and was later enrolled in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1854 and 1855, with its tonnage consistently recorded at 80.35 tons.

From 1856 to 1865, the Almira was enrolled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking a shift in its operational base to the western Great Lakes. By 1860, the schooner was owned by John Mullen of Racine, Wisconsin, and its tonnage had been adjusted to 76 tons. Ownership transferred to M. O’Connor of Milwaukee in 1866, and by 1868, the vessel was owned by an entity in Milwaukee, with a slightly increased gross tonnage of 78.69 tons.

The Almira was a typical example of the sturdy, functional vessels that were crucial to the economic life of the Great Lakes region during the mid-19th century. These vessels played a key role in transporting raw materials, agricultural products, and other goods across the vast inland seas, connecting communities and supporting the burgeoning industries of the time.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

While the exact circumstances and date of the Almira‘s final disposition are not documented, the vessel likely continued to serve in the Great Lakes trade until it was either wrecked, decommissioned, or repurposed. The vessel’s long service life and the frequent changes in ownership suggest that it remained a valuable asset until the end of its operational career.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the Almira. The vessel’s history is preserved through records of its enrollments, ownership transfers, and operational incidents.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck or remains of the Almira have not been specifically located or documented by modern underwater surveys, and its exact resting place, if any, remains unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given the lack of specific documentation regarding the final fate of the Almira, it is difficult to determine the current condition or accessibility of any remains. As with many vessels of this era, the wooden structure would likely have deteriorated significantly over time if it sank or was abandoned.