1893 — Nov 7, Albany & Philadelphia collide in fog, Lake Huron ~Pointe aux Barques MI- 24

— 24 Burkhard. “Albany.” Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society.
— 24 Great Lakes Vessel History (Vessel Histories of Sterling Berry). “Albany.” Accessed 11-10-2020.
— 8 Albany
–16 Philadelphia
— 24 Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours. 1977, p. 690.

Narrative Information

Burkhard: “A double tragedy occurred within sight of the Pt. Aux Barques Lighthouse on November 7, 1893. ‘24 Drowned’ and ‘Frightful’ were the headlines in the Bay City Times and the Huron Times (Harbor Beach Times), respectfully, on November 10, 1893. What is known is that two fine steamers (Philadelphia and Albany) went to the bottom after colliding and that 23 men survived. What will forever remain a mystery is how 24 men and 2 dogs lost their lives after safely abandoning ship….

“The Albany was an iron-hulled steamer built in 1884 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company in Wyandotte, Mi. She was 267 feet long, 38.5 feet wide, had a gross tonnage of 1917, and was U.S. Official #106306. Appearance wise the Albany was a stately looking vessel. She was only nine years old, compared to the 25-year old Philadelphia. Above her iron hull was a fully enclosed wooden deck, on top of which sat the superstructure. This consisted of forward cabins with a small pilothouse on top. There was an open area amidships where the lifeboat rested, after which the aft cabins extended to the stern. Surrounding the ship on the upper deck was a decorative railing. Standing tall above the aft cabins were two smokestacks for the double boilers. Two air cowls were just ahead of the stacks. Three tall-stepped masts that were gaff-rigged add to her fine look. These would seem out of place on a steamer, but where not uncommon during her time. The owners were not convinced that steam power was totally reliable and wanted backup sail power in case of an emergency. They may have also used the sails when the wind was right to give the ship extra speed.” (Burkhard. “Albany.” Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society.)

Great Lakes Vessel History: Sunk Nov 7, 1893 in collision with steam4r Philadelphia 12 miles off Point aux Barques MI, Lake Huron in dense fog. 8 lives lost from Albany and 16 from Philadelphia. Philadelphia rammed Albany, smashing her nose, backed off and took Albany in tow toward Point aux Barques. As Albany began to sink, her crew took to her yawl and came aboard Philadelphia, which also sank before reaching shore.” (Great Lakes Vessel History (Vessel Histories of Sterling Berry). “Albany.” Accessed 11-10-2020.)

Swayze: “Albany. Steel bulk freight steam4r of 1,918 t. [tons] and 267 ft., launched at Wyandotte, MI in 1885.

“Lake Huron: While traversing the converging shipping lanes above Pointe Aux Barques in a fog, the Albany collided with the steamer Philadelphia (qv) and sank. Eight of her crew were reported lost (one source says 24), and her cargo of grain as well, in this November 7, 1893, accident.” (Swayze. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 17.)

“Philadelphia. Iron propeller freighter of 1,464 t. [tons] and 236 ft. launched in 1868 at Buffalo.

“Lake Huron: Between 16 and 24 people died when the coal-laden steam freighter Philadelphia collided with the steel steamer Albany (qv) in a fog and sank off Pte Aux Barques, Michigan. The accident occurred on November 7, 1893.” (Swayze. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. 1992, p. 189.)

Sources

Burkhard. “Albany.” Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Society.

Great Lakes Vessel History (Vessel Histories of Sterling Berry). “Albany.” Accessed 11-10-2020 at: https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/a/albany

Nash, Jay Robert. Darkest Hours – A Narrative Encyclopedia of Worldwide Disasters from Ancient Times to the Present. New York: Pocket Books, Wallaby, 1977, 792 pages.

Swayze, David D. Shipwreck! A Comprehensive Directory of Over 3,700 Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. Boyne City, MI: Harbor House Publications, Inc., 1992.