Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: ALIDA
• Vessel Type: Wooden Steamer (Passenger and Freight Towboat)
• Build Date: 1856
• Builder: Kirby & Hoyt, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 81 feet (24.7 meters)
  • Beam: 15 feet (4.6 meters)
  • Depth: 3 feet (0.9 meters)
• Tonnage: 58 gross tons, 35 net tons
• Final Disposition: Boiler explosion and fire, December 20, 1867
• Location: Saginaw River, Saginaw City, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: Not specifically documented

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ALIDA was a modestly sized wooden steamer, designed to navigate the shallow and narrow waterways of the Saginaw River and surrounding regions. With its dual roles of passenger transport and freight towing, the vessel served as a vital link in the local transportation network. The construction featured a single deck and a wooden hull, typical of mid-19th century steamers operating in the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Built in 1856 by Kirby & Hoyt of East Saginaw, Michigan, the ALIDA quickly became an integral part of the Saginaw River’s bustling maritime economy. Owned initially by Little & Copeland, the steamer played a key role in the region’s industrial growth, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers.

Early Challenges

On May 23, 1860, the ALIDA was heavily damaged by a fire at Hess & Bros. dock in East Saginaw. Despite this setback, the vessel was rebuilt and resumed service, continuing its operations as a tug and passenger packet.

Tragic End

On December 20, 1867, the ALIDA met its final and tragic end. While navigating the Saginaw River near Saginaw City, the vessel’s boiler exploded, leading to a catastrophic fire that resulted in a total loss. Several lives were lost in the incident, although the exact number of casualties remains unclear.

Economic and Historical Impact

The loss of the ALIDA was a significant event for the Saginaw region, which relied heavily on waterborne transport during this period. The vessel’s history reflects both the importance of steam navigation to the Great Lakes economy and the inherent risks of early steam-powered vessels, where boiler explosions were not uncommon.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ALIDA was destroyed by fire following a boiler explosion on December 20, 1867, in the Saginaw River near Saginaw City. The vessel was declared a total loss, and its wreck remains undocumented in terms of specific location or current condition.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

Current Status: There are no significant diving opportunities or Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the ALIDA.

LOCATED BY & DATE

Discovery: The wreck site has not been explicitly located or identified. Its precise status remains unknown.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Ships: Provides historical records and details about Great Lakes vessels, including the ALIDA.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Documentation of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed historical accounts and records.

CONCLUSION

The ALIDA‘s history offers a vivid glimpse into the challenges and risks of 19th-century steam navigation on the Great Lakes. From its early service as a vital transport link in the Saginaw River region to its fiery demise in 1867, the vessel reflects the ingenuity and peril of an era that relied heavily on waterways for economic development. The tragic end of the ALIDA serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by early steamship crews and their communities.

KEYWORDS

ALIDA, Saginaw River, Great Lakes steamboats, 1850s maritime history, wooden towboats, steam navigation, boiler explosion, Lake Huron shipwrecks, East Saginaw history, 19th-century steam vessels.

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