ALMEDA (also known as ALAMEDA) U313

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Wreck Name: ALMEDA (also known as ALAMEDA)
Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
Date of Incident: May 22, 1880
Location: Near Pelee Island, Lake Erie
Coordinates: Specific coordinates are not provided; presumed near Pelee Island
Depth: Not specifically documented
Condition: Presumed total loss after sinking; cargo recovered by the scow RUSSIA
Owner at Time of Loss: Ownership information not specified; associated with individuals and companies from Buffalo, New York

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The ALMEDA, also known as ALAMEDA, was a wooden schooner-barge constructed in 1847 in St. Joseph, Michigan. The vessel had a tonnage of 216 tons and was primarily used for transporting goods, especially lumber, across the Great Lakes. The ALMEDA underwent several rebuilds and repairs throughout its operational life, including significant modifications in Conneaut, Ohio, in 1867, and further rebuilds in 1873 and 1878.

HISTORY #

The ALMEDA had a long and eventful history before its final sinking in 1880:

1847: Constructed in St. Joseph, Michigan.
1863: Underwent a major repair.
1864: Sank near Buffalo, New York, but was recovered.
1867: Rebuilt and enlarged in Conneaut, Ohio.
1873 & 1878: Underwent further rebuilds.
November 1877: Heavily damaged during a storm and abandoned due to a broken back. However, it was later salvaged.
September 1878: Experienced another severe storm, resulting in the tragic loss of all six crew members.
November 1877: Driven ashore near New Glasgow, Ontario, on Lake Erie. It was later rescued by the tug WINSLOW and taken to Detroit. This incident highlighted tensions between American and Canadian tug operators, reflecting ongoing disputes over wrecking operations in each other’s waters.

Final Incident – May 22, 1880:
The ALMEDA encountered a severe storm near Pelee Island, Lake Erie. The vessel was anchored during the storm, but the force of the weather wrenched off the stern, causing the schooner-barge to sink. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. The ALMEDA was carrying a cargo of lumber at the time, which was later recovered by the scow RUSSIA a few days after the sinking.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The ALMEDA was declared a total loss following the storm on May 22, 1880. The vessel sank near Pelee Island in Lake Erie. The cargo was salvaged, but the vessel itself was lost. The history of the ALMEDA is marked by repeated incidents, repairs, and eventual salvage operations, reflecting the challenges faced by schooner-barges operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck site have been issued. The wreck does not pose a significant hazard to navigation, as the cargo was removed shortly after the sinking.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the ALMEDA was reported after the incident in May 1880. The cargo was recovered by the scow RUSSIAa few days later. The specific coordinates of the wreck site are not provided.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The condition of the ALMEDA is unknown, as it was presumed to be a total loss following its sinking. The wreck was never salvaged, and its final resting place near Pelee Island remains undocumented in terms of precise location and depth.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

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

CONCLUSION #

The ALMEDA (also known as ALAMEDA) had a long and storied career on the Great Lakes, enduring multiple rebuilds, ownership changes, and severe weather events. Despite its resilience, the schooner-barge ultimately succumbed to a storm in May 1880 near Pelee Island, Lake Erie. The vessel’s history serves as a testament to the perilous nature of maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.