1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Albany was a wooden sidewheel steamer, built in 1846 by C. Worth in Detroit. It was primarily used as a passenger and package freight carrier, a common role for sidewheel steamers during the mid-19th century. The vessel measured 202 feet in length, 29 feet in width, and 12 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 669. The Albany did not have any other known names or an official registration number.
3. HISTORY #
The Albany served as a reliable passenger and freight carrier on the Great Lakes until its tragic end in 1853. On November 26 of that year, while en route to Detroit from Sault Ste. Marie, the steamer encountered a severe storm near Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The storm drove the vessel over a bar as it attempted to reach the safety of Presque Isle harbor. Plans were made to haul the Albany back across the bar, but another storm hit before these efforts could be carried out. The vessel was owned by McKnight of Detroit, who had recently lost another vessel, the propeller Independence. Unfortunately, the Albany’s insurance had expired just days before the accident.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Albany was ultimately declared a total loss. Despite extensive efforts, including the removal of the vessel’s boiler and most of its machinery, the damage was too severe to consider raising the ship. The wreck remained at the bottom of Lake Huron, with some pieces later found near Port Huron, possibly carried downstream by floating ice. The cargo, which included provisions and supplies, was also lost.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Albany.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Albany was located near Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The steamer was lost during a storm on November 26, 1853. In November 1854, the vessel’s boiler and most of its machinery were recovered.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The current condition of the wreck is not detailed in the available reports. The wreck was left at the bottom of Lake Huron, and while some pieces were found near Port Huron, the majority of the vessel remains submerged and likely scattered.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive resource for shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File – A database of shipwrecks including details on the Albany.
- Great Lakes Ships – Information on ships that have operated on the Great Lakes.
9. TAGS #
- Sidewheel Steamer
- Lake Huron
- 1853
- Shipwreck
- Maritime Disaster
10. ANALYSIS #
The sinking of the Albany serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime vessels on the Great Lakes. The storm that led to the vessel’s demise was a powerful reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous weather conditions that could suddenly arise. Despite the severe damage and eventual loss of the ship, the successful rescue of all 200 passengers and crew members was a remarkable achievement, highlighting the effectiveness of the rescue operations of the time. The wreck of the Albany remains a part of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, symbolizing both the peril and the resilience of those who navigated these waters.
