Title: The Tragic Tale of Schooner ALBEMARLE: A Vessel’s Untimely Demise and Ongoing Salvage Attempts
Introduction:
The three-masted schooner ALBEMARLE met a grim fate when it ran aground near Duncan City while carrying a cargo of ore from Escanaba. Subsequent efforts to salvage the vessel were marred by numerous challenges, ultimately leading to its classification as a total loss. This article details the vessel’s tragic journey, the heroic attempts to recover it, and the eventual decision to abandon all efforts.
The Sinking of the ALBEMARLE:
On November 19, 1867, the Detroit Post reported that the ALBEMARLE was ashore near Duncan City, filled with water. The vessel, owned by Messrs. Winslows of Buffalo, had been carrying a cargo of ore from Escanaba at the time of the accident. Initial observations suggested that the schooner had broken in two, and it was presumed that she would not be salvageable.
Futile Salvage Attempts:
Following the vessel’s sinking, salvage operations were initiated. However, the ALBEMARLE’s position and structural damage posed formidable challenges. Despite the dispatch of a reliable tug equipped with steam pumps, all efforts failed, and there was little hope of recovery. The vessel’s appearance indicated that it had been broken in two due to its lack of shear, further confirming the grim prospects.
A Glimmer of Hope:
Despite repeated failures, determined efforts to recover the ALBEMARLE persisted. In 1868, Captain James Smith took up the task, accompanied by marine divers and steam pumps. Remarkably, 300 tons of the ore cargo were successfully recovered, reigniting hope for a potential salvage.
A Series of Failed Endeavors:
Multiple attempts were made to raise the ALBEMARLE, with the aid of steam pumps and engineers. However, the vessel’s strained condition thwarted progress. The schooner lay humped up on a reef amidships, with both ends submerged in deep water. Every foot of water expelled was replaced by a foot of sand, rendering the efforts fruitless.
The Final Verdict:
After numerous futile attempts and the challenges posed by the vessel’s condition, the decision was made to abandon all salvage efforts. The ALBEMARLE, once considered one of the finest vessels on the Great Lakes, was deemed a total loss.
Conclusion:
The tragic tale of the schooner ALBEMARLE showcases the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. Despite valiant attempts to salvage the vessel and recover its valuable cargo, the ALBEMARLE’s fate was sealed by the formidable forces of nature. Today, the memory of this once majestic schooner serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by mariners in the unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes.
