Alpena in Alpena County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Tragedy in the Mist: The Schooner E.B. Allen
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018
1. Tragedy in the Mist Marker
The heavy traffic of thousands of sail and steam vessels traversing the Great Lakes compounded by darkness or fog made a deadly combination. On the night of November 20, 1871, the E.B. Allen sailed for Buffalo, New York with a load of wheat from Wisconsin. Passing Thunder Bay, the sailing bark Newsboy struck the E.B. Allen, tearing a large hole in the schooner's port side. While Newsboy suffered little damage, the E.B. Allen quickly sank to the bottom. Her crew survived the collision.
Erected by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 20, 1871.
Location. 45° 3.887′ N, 83° 25.913′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. Marker can be reached from West Fletcher Street west of Merchant Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along the Alpena Bi-Path, south of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife complex, beside the Thunder Bay River. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Squeezing The Profit Margin (within shouting distance of this marker); Harbor Tug Ralph (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fletcher Coal Piers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Treaty of Saginaw (about 500 feet away); Grecian (about 600 feet away); Alpena’s Second Avenue Bridge (about 600 feet away); Fast Steel Flyer: The Bulk Freighter Grecian (about 700 feet away); Montana (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpena.
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted waist-high on a metal supporting rack.
Also see . . . E.B. Allen. On its last voyage, the E.B. Allen was bound for Buffalo, New York, carrying a cargo of grain. When it was about 2 miles southeast of Thunder Bay Island, it met the bark Newsboy in heavy fog. The two ships collided, and the Newsboy tore a large hole in the Allen’s portside. As the ship began to sink, the Allen's crew was removed and taken on board the other vessel. Today, the E.B. Allen sits on an even keel, with its hull largely intact. Although
2. Marker detail: Schooner E.B. Allen
The schooner E.B. Allen (1864-1871) located today in 100 feet of water in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Additional keywords. Tragedy in the Mist: The Schooner E.B. Allen
3. Marker sidebar photos
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018
4. Tragedy in the Mist Marker (wide view; Thunder Bay River in the background)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
