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

Grecian

— Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail —

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

1. Grecian Marker

Inscription. Launched in 1891, the steel-hulled Grecian was built during an era of unprecedented industrial growth and dramatic change in shipbuilding technology. Good steel flexes but doesn’t break upon impact. However in June 1908, when the Grecian struck a reef in northern Lake Huron, its steel plating proved brittle.

With a hole in its bottom, the nearly 300-foot steamer was being towed to Detroit for repair when it flooded and sank near Thunder Bay. Just a few miles away rests its sister ship, the Norman, a victim of an 1895 collision.

Lying 9 miles from Alpena in 102 feet of water, the Grecian’s intact bow and stern reveal its sleek design. Large portions at the steamer’s midsection have collapsed, providing access to early steel-ship construction details. The propeller, engine, boilers and deck machinery are all in place. A steel canalon (a lifting device) from a 1909 salvage attempt sits off the vessel’s stern.

Erected by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1908.

Location. 45° 3.819′ N, 83° 25.806′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. It is in North Riverfront Park.

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Marker is on East Fletcher Street south of North 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 N 2nd Ave, Alpena MI 49707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Montana (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Stafford Dog Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Abby’s Story (within shouting distance of this marker); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Treaty of Saginaw (within shouting distance of this marker); Nordmeer (within shouting distance of this marker); Thunder Bay National Maritime Sanctuary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winter Layup (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.

More about this marker. This interpretive panel is illustrated with a large rendering of the Grecian as it rests in pieces on the lake bottom, labeled with the locations of the stern, tiller, engine, boilers, pilot house, bow and windlass as well as the and canalon mentioned in the inscription. The illustration is captioned,

Grecian — Location: N45° 58.117', W83° 12.068'• Depth: 102' • Built: 1891 • Lost: 1906 • Length: 296' • Rendering of the Grecian by Fourth Element

A compass rose shows the final heading of the Grecian.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 23, 2023

2. Grecian Marker

The mouth of the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron can be glimpsed in the distance. If you zoom in by clicking the image, you can just make out the two adjacent interpretive panels on the boardwalk fencing in the distance.

Additional keywords. Grecian

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 32 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.