Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alva B
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co.
- Dimensions: Length: 73.50 ft (22.4 m); Beam: 18.42 ft (5.6 m); Depth of hold: 10.50 ft (3.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 83 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 12 ft
- Location: Avon Point, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 30.768′ N, 82° 01.894′ W
- Official Number: US 106738
- Original Owners: Not specified; previously owned by various towing companies, including Great Lakes Towing Co. and American Towing Co.
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ALVA B was a wooden steam-powered tug constructed in 1890 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. It primarily served as a towing vessel, assisting larger ships in navigating the Great Lakes.
Description
The ALVA B sank during a storm on November 1, 1917, near Avon Point, Ohio. The wreckage is scattered, with the vessel sitting upright and a steam boiler rising close to the water’s surface.
History
The ALVA B had a notable operational history, marked by maritime incidents and resilience:
- 1898 Incident: The tug sank after a collision with the steamer City of Detroit but was salvaged and returned to service.
- Final Incident – 1917: On November 1, 1917, the ALVA B foundered during a severe storm while not carrying cargo. The eight crew members aboard survived. The vessel’s long layup in Sandusky, Ohio, where it reportedly dried out, may have contributed to its structural vulnerability.
Significant Incidents
- 1898: Collision with the City of Detroit, resulting in sinking but salvaged.
- 1917: Foundered during a storm, declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The ALVA B sank during the storm and was declared a total loss. Today, the wreck lies at a shallow depth of 12 feet (3 meters), scattered across the lakebed. The vessel sits upright, and the steam boiler rises dangerously close to the water’s surface, especially during low water levels.
Artifacts, including the propeller, anchor, and anchor chain, have been salvaged and displayed in locations such as:
Current Condition & Accessibility
The ALVA B is accessible to divers, snorkelers, and even waders in low water periods due to its shallow depth. The wreckage, while scattered, remains a point of interest for exploration. Additionally:
- Ecological Habitat: The wreck has become home to various Lake Erie fish species, attracting anglers to the area.
- Cautions for Exploration: Explorers should be vigilant of the boiler’s proximity to the surface and scattered wreckage.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alva-b-us-106738″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The ALVA B served the Great Lakes region for nearly 30 years before its tragic loss during a storm in 1917. While the wreckage now lies in shallow waters off Avon Point, Ohio, the site has become a significant historical landmark and an ecological hub. Artifacts salvaged from the tug, combined with the wreck’s accessibility, ensure that the story of the ALVA B continues to captivate divers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts alike.
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.
Source: Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit-Mercy
Cleveland harbor – Name of original file : 8740_9042_F.jp2
SHIPWRECK REPORT
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Wreck Name: ALVA B
- Type: Steam Tug
- Date of Incident: November 1, 1917
- Location: Avon Point, Ohio, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 30.768′ N, 82° 01.894′ W
- Depth: 12 feet (3 meters)
- Condition: Wreckage scattered; vessel sits upright with a steam boiler rising close to the water’s surface.
- Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified; previously owned by various towing companies, including Great Lakes Towing Co. and American Towing Co.
- VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION The ALVA B was a wooden steam-powered tug constructed in 1890 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. It featured: Length: 73.50 feet (22.4 meters) Beam (Width): 18.42 feet (5.6 meters) Depth: 10.50 feet (3.2 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 83 tons
- Net Tonnage: 41 tons
- Hull Material: Wood
The tug served primarily as a towing vessel, assisting larger ships in navigating the Great Lakes.
HISTORY
The ALVA B had a notable operational history, marked by maritime incidents and resilience:
1898 Incident: The tug sank after a collision with the steamer City of Detroit but was salvaged and returned to service.
Final Incident – 1917: On November 1, 1917, the ALVA B foundered during a severe storm near Avon Point, Ohio, while not carrying cargo. The eight crew members aboard survived. The vessel’s long layup in Sandusky, Ohio, where it reportedly dried out, may have contributed to its structural vulnerability.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The ALVA B sank during the storm and was declared a total loss. Today, the wreck lies at a shallow depth of 12 feet (3 meters), scattered across the lakebed. The vessel sits upright, and the steam boiler rises dangerously close to the water’s surface, especially during low water levels.
Artifacts, including the propeller, anchor, and anchor chain, have been salvaged and displayed in locations such as:
The wreck is a site of historical and ecological significance.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) exist for the ALVA B wreck. Mariners and divers should remain cautious due to the shallow depth and the exposed steam boiler, which can pose hazards during low water conditions.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the ALVA B was documented shortly after its sinking in 1917. It remains a known site for divers and maritime historians.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The ALVA B is accessible to divers, snorkelers, and even waders in low water periods due to its shallow depth. The wreckage, while scattered, remains a point of interest for exploration. Additionally:
- Ecological Habitat: The wreck has become home to various Lake Erie fish species, attracting anglers to the area.
- Cautions for Exploration: Explorers should be vigilant of the boiler’s proximity to the surface and scattered wreckage.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Ohio Shipwrecks Database
- Detroit Free Press, October 3, 1889
- Erie Wrecks Guidebook
- Bowling Green State University Shipwreck Database
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships – Alva B
- Google Maps – Point Avon Wreck Site
CONCLUSION
The ALVA B served the Great Lakes region for nearly 30 years before its tragic loss during a storm in 1917. While the wreckage now lies in shallow waters off Avon Point, Ohio, the site has become a significant historical landmark and an ecological hub. Artifacts salvaged from the tug, combined with the wreck’s accessibility, ensure that the story of the ALVA B continues to captivate divers, historians, and maritime enthusiasts alike.
TAGS
#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #SteamTug #ALVAB #MaritimeHistory #AvonPoint #UnderwaterExploration #ErieWrecks
unknown-shipwreck-19118 1917-11-01 07:53:00
You must be logged in to post a comment.