Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Loss of the Pewabic

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail

The Loss of the <i>Pewabic</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. The Loss of the Pewabic Marker

Inscription. The Civil War created an insatiable demand for copper. At a time when Michigan's Upper Peninsula produced the majority of America's supply, vessels like the Pewabic played a critical role in the war effort. On a typical trip between lakes Erie and Superior, the 200-foot steamer carried 1,000 tons of copper and over 100 passengers.

The sister ships Pewabic and Meteor often exchanged news an mail as they passed one another. On the calm evening of August 9, 1865, this meeting proved tragic. A few miles south of Thunder Bay Island, the Pewabic's wheelsman inexplicably turned his vessel into the path of the oncoming Meteor. The Meteor's heavy bow cut a huge gash into the side of the Pewabic. Within minutes, the Pewabic vanished. Although the Meteor rescued many of the estimated 150 passengers, at least 33 drowned in Thunder Bay's worst maritime disaster.

Erected by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lost at Sea series

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list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 9, 1865.

Location. 45° 4.065′ N, 83° 26.09′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. It can be reached from the intersection of West Fletcher Street and Cedar Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along Alpena's Bi-Path, south of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, overlooking the Thunder Bay River and Rotary Island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena MI 49707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Propellers (here, next to this marker); Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans (within shouting distance of this marker); Research Vessels (within shouting distance

Marker detail: Artist’s recreation of the <i>Pewabic</i> (1863-1865) and the <i>Meteor</i> image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Artist’s recreation of the Pewabic (1863-1865) and the Meteor

The wreck of the Pewabic now rests in 165 feet of water in the Thunder Bay National Maritime Sanctuary.

of this marker); International Shipmaster's Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Steaming Open the Frontier (within shouting distance of this marker); Thunder Bay Fishing Industry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bigger, Stronger, Faster (about 500 feet away); A Shipbuilding Revolution (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.

Also see . . .
1. Pewabic. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary website entry (Submitted on October 9, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. The Disaster on Lake Huron (from the Detroit Advertiser, Aug. 11, 1865). It becomes our painful duty to record the occurrence of the most appalling disaster that has darkened the records of the Western Lakes for many years. On Wednesday night about 8:30 o'clock, the fine propeller Pewabic, Capt. George McKay, on her way down from Lake Superior to this port, when abreast of Thunder Bay Island, and about six miles from the light, collided with the propeller Meteor, Capt. Wilson, upward bound, by which the Pewabic was immediately sunk... (Submitted on August 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Additional keywords. The Loss of the Pewabic

Marker detail: Several attempts were made to salvage the <i>Pewabic’s</i> valuable cargo image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Several attempts were made to salvage the Pewabic’s valuable cargo

Marker detail: Photo mosaic of the <i>Pewabic</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

4. Marker detail: Photo mosaic of the Pewabic

This photo mosaic of the Pewabic employs dozens of images selected from video footage digitally “stitched” together to illustrate how the wreck looks today.

The Loss of the <i>Pewabic</i> Marker (<i>wide view; Thunder Bay River beyond fence</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

5. The Loss of the Pewabic Marker (wide view; Thunder Bay River beyond fence)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.