IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Vessel Name: Alide J. Rogers
  • Type: Schooner
  • Official Number: 1552
  • Tonnage: 340.08 tons
  • Home Port: Chicago, Illinois
  • Date of Incident: Late 19th century (specific date not provided)
  • Location of Wreck: Approximately 6 miles from Old Mission Point, Lake Huron
  • Depth of Wreck: 50 feet

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Alide J. Rogers was a Schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its multiple masts and fore-and-aft rigged sails. This configuration made schooners versatile and efficient for transporting cargo such as iron ore across the Great Lakes. The Alide J. Rogers, with a tonnage of 340.08 tons, was sizable for its time and operated out of its home port in Chicago, Illinois.

HISTORY

The Schooner Alide J. Rogers was actively engaged in the shipping trade, playing a vital role in transporting goods across Lake Huron and other Great Lakes. Registered under U.S. number 1552, the vessel was listed in the Merchant Vessel List of 1871, highlighting its prominence in maritime commerce.

The ship met its tragic end while carrying a cargo of iron ore. On a fateful Sunday night, the Alide J. Rogers struck a reef near the Old Mission lighthouse in Lake Huron. Captain Frank Coulson and his crew sought refuge at the lighthouse as they attempted to secure their vessel. However, nature had other plans. The force of the wind dislodged the Schooner from the reef, pushing it into deeper waters. Unable to recover control, the vessel ultimately sank approximately six miles from Old Mission Point in 50 feet of water.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the Alide J. Rogers now lies on the lakebed in Lake Huron at a depth of 50 feet. Its cargo of iron ore and the vessel itself were reported to be well insured, mitigating the financial loss of the incident. The ship and its contents remain submerged, potentially serving as a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The precise discovery of the wreck has not been documented. Given its historical significance and relatively shallow depth, the site is likely accessible to modern divers and researchers.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Alide J. Rogers. However, mariners navigating near Old Mission Point should be aware of historical wrecks in the vicinity.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck, resting at a depth of 50 feet, is potentially accessible to recreational divers. The iron ore cargo and remnants of the Schooner may still be present on the lakebed, though the extent of deterioration after years underwater is uncertain.

RESOURCES & LINKS

KEYWORDS

#AlideJRogers #LakeHuron #Schooner #IronOreTransport #GreatLakesShipwrecks #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory

CONCLUSION

The loss of the Alide J. Rogers is a testament to the perils faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Striking a reef and succumbing to the winds, the vessel now lies at rest in Lake Huron. Its story, preserved in historical records, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges of maritime commerce in an era before modern navigational aids. Further exploration of the wreck could provide valuable insights into its construction, cargo, and final moments.