Shipwreck Report: Allegheny

Identification & Site Information

  • Wreck Name: Allegheny
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Three-Masted Schooner-Barge
  • Build Date: 1873
  • Builder: W.W. Loomis, Erie, Pennsylvania
  • Dimensions:Length: 187 feet (57 meters) Beam: 33 feet (10 meters) Depth: 13 feet (4 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage: 689 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 599 tons
  • Final Disposition Date: June 6, 1913
  • Location of Wreck: Near Vermilion Point, Lake Superior, Michigan
  • Coordinates: Exact location not documented; near lifesaving station at Vermilion Point
  • Depth at Wreck Site: Not specified
  • Condition: Vessel broke apart in a storm; remains scattered

Vessel Type Description

The Allegheny was a three-masted wooden Schooner-Barge, a vessel type commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk cargoes like lumber. Designed to operate under tow by steamers, Schooner-barges were economical and robust, capable of carrying heavy loads across the Great Lakes. The Allegheny’s three masts allowed for auxiliary sail power, providing added stability and propulsion in emergencies.

History

The Allegheny was launched in 1873 in Erie, Pennsylvania, and operated for 40 years, primarily transporting lumber across the Great Lakes. Owned by J. Dunseith and based in Toledo, Ohio, the vessel played an essential role in supporting the booming lumber industry, which relied on maritime transport to meet regional demand.

Final Voyage and Loss

On June 6, 1913, the Allegheny was part of a tow led by the Steamer M.T. Greene, traveling through Lake Superior. The vessel carried a cargo of lumber when it encountered a severe storm near Vermilion Point, Michigan. Dense fog and gale-force winds caused the Towline to break, leaving the Allegheny adrift in increasingly rough conditions.

Stranded on a bar in front of the Vermilion Point Lifesaving Station, the Allegheny was subjected to relentless waves and ultimately broke apart. Of the six crew members aboard, five were rescued by the lifesaving station’s surf men, but one crew member tragically perished.

Final Disposition

The Allegheny was declared a Total Loss, with the Hull breaking apart under the storm’s force. The wreck was not salvaged and is presumed scattered near Vermilion Point. No official recovery operations were undertaken, and the remains of the vessel have not been extensively documented.

Environmental and Historical Impact

The wreck of the Allegheny is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by maritime vessels navigating the Great Lakes. The incident underscores the importance of the lifesaving services operating along these waters, which saved countless lives during this hazardous period of Great Lakes commerce.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck’s remains are deteriorated and scattered on the lake bed near Vermilion Point, making it a challenging site for exploration. The area is significant for divers and historians interested in the region’s maritime heritage.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Allegheny is emblematic of the Schooner-Barge era, a period when Great Lakes shipping was a cornerstone of regional commerce. Its loss during a storm highlights the perils faced by sailors and the critical role of lifesaving services. Though its remains lie largely forgotten, the Allegheny’s story endures as a chapter in the Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

Tags #ShipwreckReport #GreatLakes #LakeSuperior #MaritimeHistory #SchoonerBarge #LumberTrade #VermilionPoint #HistoricShipwrecks #Allegheny