IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The ALASKA was originally built as a sidewheel steamer in 1878 by John P. Clark in Detroit, Michigan. The vessel had a wooden hull and featured three decks. Designed for service on the Great Lakes, the ALASKA was powered by a low-pressure, single-cylinder engine previously used in the steamer John Sherman, and its propulsion system included sidewheels. After suffering significant fire damage in 1889, the vessel was converted into a tow barge and later into a steambarge, which altered its design and purpose. The transformation included a new high-pressure engine and modifications to its structure to suit the lumber trade.
HISTORY #
The ALASKA had a varied and eventful history, marked by multiple changes in ownership and configuration. Built in 1878 in Detroit, Michigan, the steamer served under various owners throughout its operational life. Initially owned by interests in Detroit, the vessel was severely damaged by fire in 1889 while at the Michigan Central Dock in Detroit. This incident led to its conversion into a tow barge at the Dunford & Alverson shipyard in Port Huron. It was sold to J.E. Pott Salt & Lumber Co. and continued to operate in the lumber trade.
The ALASKA underwent significant rebuilding in 1895, which saw it reconfigured as a steambarge with new dimensions and a high-pressure engine from the tug Jim Pullar. This rebuild allowed it to continue its service on the Great Lakes under new Canadian ownership by Pulling & Williscraft of Windsor, Ontario, starting in 1905.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The ALASKA met its tragic end on December 24, 1910, while sheltering from a storm in Tobermory, Ontario. The vessel caught fire due to an overheated boiler and was completely destroyed. The fire consumed the entire vessel, resulting in its total loss. The engines from the ALASKA were later used in the steambarge FRANK E. KIRBY (also known as DOVER).
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The ALASKA’s final resting place is documented as being in Tobermory, Ontario, but no significant remnants of the wreck have been identified for diving or recovery purposes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
- Hazards: The site where the ALASKA was lost is near Tobermory, Ontario. Divers and navigators in the area should be aware of the potential hazards posed by this historical wreck, although it is primarily of interest for historical reasons rather than as a navigational danger.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
CONCLUSION #
The ALASKA’s history reflects the dynamic and often perilous nature of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its initial construction as a sidewheel steamer to its final days as a steambarge, the vessel played a significant role in the maritime commerce of the region. Its destruction by fire in 1910 marked the end of its service, but the ALASKA’s legacy continues through records and historical accounts.
KEYWORDS #
ALASKA, Steamer, Steambarge, Great Lakes, Shipwreck, Tobermory, Lake Huron, Maritime History, Great Lakes Shipping, 19th Century Vessels
