Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown No. 4 (nicknamed Alpha)
- Type: Small wooden vessel; possibly schooner or canaller
- Year Built: Unknown (likely late 19th / early 20th century)
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: ~ 86 ft (26.2 m) length × 18–20 ft (5.5–6.1 m) beam
- Registered Tonnage: ~2 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 1.5 m / 5 ft
- Location: Shoreline near Portage, Indiana
- Coordinates: Not documented
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Unknown No. 4 is categorized as a small wooden vessel, potentially designed as a schooner or canaller. Its construction suggests it was suited for coastal commerce or industrial transport.
Description
The remnant structure of the Alpha wreck includes a main frame section approximately 86 feet long and 18 to 20 feet wide, with an estimated draft of about 6 feet. The hull is wooden, indicating its likely use in local trade.
History
No direct archival records have been conclusively linked to this wreck. The nickname ‘Alpha’ has been noted in local surveys since the 1990s, but it does not correspond to any known registered vessel in major Great Lakes registers.
Significant Incidents
- No documented records exist for crew or casualty details.
- No formal Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR) are known specifically for this wreck.
Final Disposition
The vessel likely sank or decayed near the shoreline. Ongoing sedimentation, wave action, and coastal dynamics may have buried or displaced much of the remaining structure. The visible portion lies in very shallow water (0–5 ft).
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located in very shallow water, with possible turbidity and shifting sand. Access is available via shore or wading, and local dive shops may provide support.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alpha-wreck-unknown-no-4″ title=”References & Links”]
Unknown No. 4, or the Alpha wreck, remains a point of interest for divers and historians alike, representing the maritime history of the Lake Michigan region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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