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.
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.
Lead Image
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Alpha (local designation)
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: Unknown
Vessel Type: Small wooden vessel; possibly schooner or canaller
Builder: Unknown
Year Built: Unknown (likely late 19th / early 20th century)
Dimensions (remnant): ~ 86 ft (26.2 m) length × 18–20 ft (5.5–6.1 m) beam
Draft (remnant): ~ 6 ft (1.8 m)
Estimated Tonnage (remnant): ~2 gross tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown
Date of Loss: Unknown
Location: Shoreline near Portage, Indiana (Lake Michigan)
Coordinates: Not documented
Depth: Shoreline to ~5 ft (1.5 m) depth
Home Port: Unknown
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: Unknown
Description
Unknown No. 4 is documented in Indiana’s Lake Michigan shipwreck inventory under the local nickname “Alpha.” The remnant structure includes a main frame section ~86 ft long and 18–20 ft wide, with evidence of about 6 ft of draft. Its small size suggests it was likely a coastal vessel engaged in local commerce or industrial transport. The hull is wooden; the configuration suggests possible schooner or canaller design.
History
No direct archival records have yet been conclusively associated with this wreck. The nickname “Alpha” appears in local surveys from the 1990s, but that does not correspond to any known registered vessel in major Great Lakes registers.
Final Dispositions
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).
Located By & Date Found
This wreck was recorded by Indiana’s Lake Michigan shipwreck survey program and is listed in the state’s inventory as *Unknown No. 4 (Alpha)*. It was likely identified in the late 20th century via shoreline / shallow water archaeological reconnaissance.
Notmars & Advisories
No formal Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR) are known specifically for this wreck. Shallow submerged structural timbers may present localized hazards at low water levels near the Portage shoreline.
Dive Information
Access: Shore / wade
Entry Point: Near Portage, Indiana shoreline
Conditions: Very shallow water, possible turbidity, shifting sand
Depth Range: 0 to ~5 ft (0–1.5 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan; Indiana DNR underwater heritage office
Permits: Likely required under Indiana underwater archaeology / heritage regulations
Dive Support: Local dive shops / charter services in northwest Indiana
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No documented records exist for crew or casualty details, and no memorials are known to be associated with this site.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Portage, Indiana. Details: Referred to as the ‘Alpha’ wreck in the 1990s.” — Indiana DNR Shipwrecks listing
“The Alpha Wreck … has periodically been visible near Ogden Dunes when lake levels are low. Excavation teams have presented observations on its timbers and structural shape.” — Local region history blog
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No known registry / enrollment / insurance records currently link to this wreck. Archival research in 19th / early 20th-century Lake Michigan small craft registries, regional shipping manifests, or county port records would be required for candidate matching.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The Indiana DNR shipwreck inventory documents it as *Unknown No. 4 (Alpha)*. No detailed photogrammetric surveys or published underwater imaging datasets have been publicly confirmed.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Indiana DNR, *Shipwrecks — Lake Michigan Coastal Program* (includes Unknown No. 4)
- Local Indiana historical / maritime archives (Portage / Lake County)
- Great Lakes vessel registers / insurance archives
- Digitized newspapers / microfilm in local libraries (e.g. Portage Public Library)
References
- Indiana DNR, *Shipwrecks — Lake Michigan Coastal Program* listing (Unknown No. 4 / “Alpha”)
- OdHistory.org, “The Alpha Shipwreck on Ogden Dunes.” (regional “Alpha” wreck lore)
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: “Alpha”
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Not recorded
Depth: Shoreline to ~5 ft (1.5 m)
Location Description: Near Portage, Indiana shoreline
Vessel Type: Small wooden (schooner / canaller candidate)
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Remnant ~86 × 18–20 ft
Condition: Fragmentary, shallow submersion
Cause of Loss: Unknown
Discovery Date: Late 20th century (survey)
Discovered By: Indiana DNR / state archaeological reconnaissance
Method: Shoreline / shallow water survey
Legal Notes: State heritage / underwater inventory status
Hazards: Submerged timbers, shifting sand
Permits Required: Governed by Indiana heritage law