Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Alma
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Number: 106517
  • Date Built and Launched: 1887
  • Builder: H.S. Downer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Scow-Schooner, 2-Masted
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Measurements:Length: 57 ft (17.4 m) Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m) Depth: 3 ft (0.9 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 26 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 25 tons
  • Date Lost: May 18, 1892
  • Place of Loss: Near Bradford Beach, just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Lake: Lake Michigan
  • Type of Loss: Storm
  • Loss of Life: None (3 crew members survived)
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Gravel

Vessel Type:

A wooden scow-Schooner, the Alma was designed for shallow-water navigation and bulk cargo transport on Lake Michigan. Scow-schooners were typically flat-bottomed, making them ideal for carrying heavy loads like gravel, sand, or timber into shallow ports and rivers.

Description:

The Alma was a small, two-masted scow-Schooner built in 1887 by H.S. Downer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Measuring 57 feet in length with a beam of 16 feet and a depth of 3 feet, she had a Gross Tonnage of 26 and a Net Tonnage of 25. Her flat-bottomed design allowed her to carry heavy materials like gravel into shallow harbors, a common practice along the Lake Michigan shoreline, where construction and infrastructure development were booming in the late 19th century.

The Alma was owned by the A. Wronsted Roofing Co. of Milwaukee, reflecting her role in transporting building materials for urban projects in the growing city. The vessel was under the command of Captain August Rosenow at the time of her loss.

History

The Alma served as a workhorse vessel in the construction materials trade, carrying loads of gravel and other bulk goods to supply the rapidly expanding infrastructure of Milwaukee and nearby towns. While smaller than many of the schooners and freighters that plied the Great Lakes, scow-schooners like the Alma were crucial for short-haul routes and near-shore operations, particularly in areas where larger vessels couldn’t access.

Final Voyage and Loss:

On May 18, 1892, while transporting a load of gravel near Bradford Beach, just north of Milwaukee, the Alma encountered a sudden storm on Lake Michigan. The storm’s high winds and rough waves drove the vessel into the shallows, where she capsized under the strain of the weather and heavy cargo.

The vessel came to rest in 15 to 20 feet of water. Her three-man crew managed to cling to the upturned Hull for several hours, enduring cold temperatures and rough conditions. Eventually, they were spotted and rescued by the fishing Schooner Prince, which brought them safely back to shore. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

While there was initial hope of salvaging the vessel, efforts were unsuccessful, and the Alma eventually sank completely.

Final Disposition:

The Alma was declared a Total Loss after sinking near Bradford Beach. The wreck likely remains submerged in shallow waters off the Milwaukee shoreline, though it is unclear if any formal salvage or recovery efforts were made following her sinking.

Located By & Date Found:

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Alma’s wreck, but given the shallow depth of 15 to 20 feet, the site may still exist and could be accessible to divers or maritime archaeologists.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

Bradford Beach and the surrounding shoreline are popular recreational areas today. While there are no specific navigational hazards related to the Alma, mariners and divers in the area should remain aware of historical shipwreck sites along Milwaukee’s north shore.

Resources & Links:

Conclusion

The Alma exemplifies the small, hardworking vessels that supported urban development and construction in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century. Built in Milwaukee in 1887, the vessel served in the gravel trade until her loss in 1892 during a sudden storm near Bradford Beach. While her crew survived thanks to a timely rescue, the vessel was a Total Loss. The Alma‘s story highlights the hazards of Great Lakes navigation, even for vessels operating near shore, and contributes to the rich maritime history of Milwaukee and Lake Michigan.

Keywords: Alma, Scow-Schooner, Bradford Beach, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, Gravel Trade, Milwaukee Maritime History
Categories: Great Lakes Work Vessels, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents
Glossary Terms: Scow-Schooner, Capsize, Total Loss, Maritime Rescue, Bulk Freight Vessel