PS Alpena was a sidewheel steamer built by Thomas Arnold of Gallagher & Company at Marine City, Michigan in 1866. She was operated by the Goodrich Line after being purchased from Gardner, Ward & Gallagher in April 1868. The Alpena sank in Lake Michigan in the "Big Blow" storm on October 15, 1880, with the loss of all on board.

Construction

thumb|left|Stern view of the steamer Alpena

Built in 1866, by the Thomas Arnold of Gallagher & Company of Marine City, Michigan, the Alpena was in length, in breadth, with a depth of . It was rated at 654 tons displacement. The vessel was driven by a steam engine, and photographs of the vessel show its walking beam suspended above the paddlewheels.

Sinking

At least 60 people died when the ship, also carrying a large cargo of apples, capsized in the middle of the lake. The ship was on a trip from Grand Haven, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois, and was spotted at 8:00 am on October 16 in heavy seas. Some time later, probably due to a shift in the cargo on deck caused by the waves, it capsized and drifted northwest. On the 17th, debris including a piano came ashore in Holland, Michigan, while apples and wood debris were found at Saugatuck. A section of beach near Holland where debris was found is still called Alpena Beach. The loss of life is estimated at 60-consisting of about 25 crew and about 35 passengers

See also

  • List of maritime disasters in the 19th century
  • List of storms on the Great Lakes
  • Sea Wing disaster

References

Citations

  • 1880 Alpena sinking
  • Michigan Shipwrecks.org - Alpena