Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alta
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: F. Wheeler, West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 198 ft (60.35 m); Beam 37.4 ft (11.4 m); Depth of hold 15.7 ft (4.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross 935 tons; Net 909 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.4 m / 8 ft
- Location: East side of Grand Island, near Munising, Michigan
- Coordinates: 46° 28.353′ N 086° 36.372′ W
- Original Owners: Bewick Transportation Co., J.J. Boland
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Alta was a wooden schooner-barge equipped with two masts, designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Schooner-barges were often towed by steam tugs, maximizing their efficiency while relying on minimal crew. The Alta was typical of the vessels that dominated Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, capable of transporting significant loads such as lumber and coal.
Description
The Alta was launched in 1884 for the Bewick Transportation Co. of Detroit, Michigan. Over its operational life, the vessel changed ownership multiple times, reflecting the dynamic nature of the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. The vessel primarily transported lumber and coal, playing a crucial role in the economic development of the region.
History
On October 19, 1905, the Alta was under tow by the tug F.A. Meyers, en route from Duluth with a cargo of lumber. While navigating Lake Superior near Munising, Michigan, a severe storm caused the Alta to break free from the tug. The schooner-barge drifted and eventually stranded on the east side of Grand Island, near the Point of Trout Bay.
Pounded by relentless waves, the Alta was heavily damaged, leaving the crew of six men and one woman clinging to the wreck for over a day. Local fishermen mounted a heroic rescue effort, saving the crew. Remarkably, there was no loss of life despite the harrowing conditions.
Significant Incidents
- The Alta was lost in a storm on October 19, 1905, after breaking free from the tug F.A. Meyers.
- The crew was rescued by local fishermen after being stranded on the wreck for over a day.
Final Disposition
The Alta was declared a total loss. The wreck remains in shallow water near Grand Island, its remnants a testament to the perils of maritime navigation on Lake Superior. Salvage efforts were partially successful in retrieving some of the lumber cargo, but the vessel itself was unsalvageable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Alta lies in shallow water, approximately 25 feet (8 meters) offshore in eight feet (2.4 meters) of water. Its remains, although scattered and weathered, are accessible to divers and kayakers interested in exploring the site. However, much of the vessel has been broken apart by storms over the years.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alta” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The story of the Alta encapsulates the challenges of Great Lakes shipping during the early 20th century. Despite its sturdy construction and experienced crew, the schooner-barge could not withstand the powerful storm that sealed its fate. The Alta‘s wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of the Great Lakes, as well as the resilience of those who sailed its waters.
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.
Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge Alta
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Alta
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Build Year: 1884
- Builder: F. Wheeler, West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions:
- Length: 198 feet (60.35 meters)
- Beam: 37.4 feet (11.4 meters)
- Depth: 15.7 feet (4.8 meters)
- Tonnage:
- Gross: 935 tons
- Net: 909 tons
- Hull Material: Wood
- Masts: Two
- Final Resting Place: East side of Grand Island, near Munising, Michigan, Lake Superior
- Coordinates: 46° 28.353′ N 086° 36.372′ W
- Directions: Approximately 500 feet (150 meters) from shore, off the Point of Trout Bay
- Condition: Wrecked and broken apart by storms, remnants in shallow water
Vessel Type Description
The Alta was a wooden schooner-barge equipped with two masts, designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Schooner-barges were often towed by steam tugs, maximizing their efficiency while relying on minimal crew. The Alta was typical of the vessels that dominated Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, capable of transporting significant loads such as lumber and coal.
History
The Alta was launched in 1884 for the Bewick Transportation Co. of Detroit, Michigan. Over its operational life, the vessel changed ownership multiple times, reflecting the dynamic nature of the shipping industry on the Great Lakes. The vessel primarily transported lumber and coal, playing a crucial role in the economic development of the region.
Final Voyage
On October 19, 1905, the Alta was under tow by the tug F.A. Meyers, en route from Duluth with a cargo of lumber. While navigating Lake Superior near Munising, Michigan, a severe storm caused the Alta to break free from the tug. The schooner-barge drifted and eventually stranded on the east side of Grand Island, near the Point of Trout Bay.
Pounded by relentless waves, the Alta was heavily damaged, leaving the crew of six men and one woman clinging to the wreck for over a day. Local fishermen mounted a heroic rescue effort, saving the crew. Remarkably, there was no loss of life despite the harrowing conditions.
Aftermath and Salvage Efforts
The wreck of the Alta remained on the shoal in shallow water, approximately 500 feet from the shore. Winter storms exacerbated the damage to the vessel, breaking it apart and spreading debris. The vessel’s owner, J.J. Boland, sold the wreck to wrecker J. Reid on November 1, 1905, in hopes of salvaging the valuable lumber cargo. However, salvage operations were abandoned due to the wreck’s deteriorated state, and the Alta was ultimately left in eight feet of water.
Final Disposition
The Alta was declared a total loss. The wreck remains in shallow water near Grand Island, its remnants a testament to the perils of maritime navigation on Lake Superior. Salvage efforts were partially successful in retrieving some of the lumber cargo, but the vessel itself was unsalvageable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Alta lies in shallow water, approximately 25 feet (8 meters) offshore in eight feet (2.4 meters) of water. Its remains, although scattered and weathered, are accessible to divers and kayakers interested in exploring the site. However, much of the vessel has been broken apart by storms over the years.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University
- 3D Shipwrecks
Conclusion
The story of the Alta encapsulates the challenges of Great Lakes shipping during the early 20th century. Despite its sturdy construction and experienced crew, the schooner-barge could not withstand the powerful storm that sealed its fate. The Alta‘s wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and often unforgiving nature of the Great Lakes, as well as the resilience of those who sailed its waters.
Keywords
#Alta #SchoonerBarge #LakeSuperiorShipwreck #GrandIslandWreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #ShipwreckExploration #LumberCargoShipwreck #MunisingMichiganWreck