Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR.
- Type: Wooden sandsucker barge (originally a steamer)
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder: A. Anderson
- Dimensions: 150 ft (45.7 m) x 35 ft (10.7 m) x 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 478 gross tons; 418 net tons
- Location: Sandusky, Ohio (dock site); possible scuttling in Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not documented
- Official Number: Not located
- Original Owners: Lorain Washed Sand Co.
- Number of Masts: N/A (barge, laid up at time of loss)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR. was originally constructed as a steamer and later converted into a wooden sandsucker barge. These vessels were crucial for dredging and transporting sand for construction projects across the Great Lakes.
Description
The ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR. was built in 1900 at Marine City, Michigan, by A. Anderson. In 1928, it was converted into a sandsucker barge, primarily used by the Lorain Washed Sand Co. for dredging and hauling sand across Lake Erie. Sandsucker barges played a vital role in supplying sand for various industrial and construction projects in the region.
History
After nearly three decades of service as a steamer, the vessel was rebuilt into a barge in 1928. It contributed to infrastructure development by dredging sand from lakebeds and transporting it to construction sites. On May 11, 1935, the ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR. sank while tied up at dock in Sandusky, Ohio. Salvage efforts were abandoned, and the vessel was left idle. Conflicting reports exist regarding its fate: one account suggests it was scuttled in Lake Erie with explosives in 1937, while another indicates it was destroyed by fire at its moorings in May 1941.
Significant Incidents
- Sank at dock in Sandusky, Ohio on May 11, 1935.
- Reportedly scuttled in Lake Erie in 1937.
- Reportedly destroyed by fire at dock in May 1941.
Final Disposition
The final fate of the ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR. remains uncertain. It is reported to have been either scuttled in 1937 or destroyed by fire in 1941. The lack of precise documentation leaves its ultimate end unresolved. If scuttled, wreckage may still lie offshore in Lake Erie; if burned, remains may have been reduced to rubble at the dockside.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of the wreck site has been documented. If scuttled, her remains may be located on the lakebed; if destroyed at dock, remnants may lie buried under shoreline infrastructure in Sandusky, Ohio. No active Notices to Mariners are associated with the ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR..
Resources & Links
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The ALVAH S. CHISHOLM JR. serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of sand in construction and industrial projects. Its uncertain fate continues to intrigue divers and historians alike.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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