Alice C (Bob Ludwig)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Alice C (formerly Bob Ludwig)
• Type: Fishing Tug
• Year Built: 1926
• Builder: Michigan City, Indiana
• Dimensions: 50 ft (16 m); Beam; Depth of hold 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
• Location: DeTour Village, near Watson Dock
• Coordinates: Latitude 45°59.978’N, Longitude 83°53.959’W
• Original Owners: John Girven, Albert McLeod

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Alice C was a typical fishing tug designed for nearshore fishing and small-scale cargo or ferry operations. Measuring 50 feet in length, the vessel had a robust design suitable for enduring the variable weather conditions on the Great Lakes.

Description

The wreck is broken and scattered, with debris spread over an area of approximately 15 x 50 feet. The machinery has been removed, and visibility in the area is poor, limiting its appeal to divers, snorkelers, and kayakers. The wreck is marked on charts as a danger to surface navigation, especially given its proximity to shallow water near Watson Dock.

History

• Construction and Early Years (1926-1930): Launched in 1926 in Michigan City, Indiana, as the Bob Ludwig. Operated as a fishing tug on Lake Michigan, serving local fisheries.
• Ownership Changes and Renaming (1930-1936): Sold to John Girven of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 1930, and renamed Alice C. Continued as a fishing vessel and ferry boat in the region.
• Later Years (1936-1947): Purchased by Albert McLeod in 1936, operating from DeTour Village. During World War II, the vessel fell into disrepair. Plans for refurbishment were abandoned, and the Alice C was left to deteriorate, eventually sinking from neglect.
• Abandonment and Salvage (1947-1992): The vessel was removed from official documentation in 1947. In 1992, its engine and boiler were salvaged and are now displayed at the DeTour Village Museum.

Significant Incidents

• Discovered: The wreck was observed in 1941, shortly after its sinking.
• Identified: Officially identified by divers in 1989.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Alice C serves as a testament to the durability and challenges faced by fishing tugs navigating the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. While the site offers limited appeal to recreational divers due to poor visibility, its artifacts displayed at the DeTour Village Museum ensure that the vessel’s legacy lives on.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is broken and scattered, with debris spread over an area of approximately 15 x 50 feet. The machinery has been removed. Visibility in the area is poor, limiting its appeal to divers, snorkelers, and kayakers. The wreck is marked on charts as a danger to surface navigation, especially given its proximity to shallow water near Watson Dock.

Resources & Links

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The wreck of the Alice C, originally the Bob Ludwig, provides a glimpse into the Great Lakes’ maritime history, particularly the role of small fishing tugs in the early 20th century. While the site offers limited appeal to recreational divers due to poor visibility, its artifacts displayed at the DeTour Village Museum ensure that the vessel’s legacy lives on.