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

Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans

Rising from the Ashes: The <i>New Orleans</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

1. Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans Marker

Inscription. Life on the frontier Great Lakes was dangerous when the sidewheeler Vermilion went into service in 1838. In 1842, the 151-foot steamer burned to the waterline, killing several people. A year later, with immigration booming and the economy strong, the owners salvaged their ship and added over 30 feet to her length. She steamed back into service in September of 1844 as the 185-foot sidewheeler New Orleans.

The elegant New Orleans passed Thunder Bay about four times per month on her regular trips between Lake Erie and the western shore of Lake Michigan. The New Orleans made her last voyage in a heavy fog before daylight on the morning of June 13, 1849, when she ran onto a reef near Sugar Island. Though local fishermen rescued the crew and passengers, the ship was lost.

Erected by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 13, 1849.

Location. 45° 4.043′ N, 83° 26.074′ W. Marker is in Alpena, Michigan, in Alpena County. Marker can be reached from West Fletcher Street west of Commercial Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along the

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Alpena Bi-Path, on the west side of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife complex, beside the Thunder Bay River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480 West Fletcher Street, 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. Research Vessels (here, next to this marker); Steaming Open the Frontier (a few steps from this marker); Propellers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Loss of the Pewabic (within shouting distance of this marker); International Shipmaster's Association (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bigger, Stronger, Faster (about 400 feet away); A Shipbuilding Revolution (about 400 feet away); Fast Steel Flyer: The Bulk Freighter Grecian (about 500 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 . . .
1. New Orleans - Wooden Side Wheel Steamboat. During the night of June 13,1849 it was steaming North on Lake Huron when it ran into a heavy fog off Thunder Bay. Early on the 14th, it strayed from its route and ran onto a reef at Sugar Island. Her passengers were transferred safely to Thunder Bay Island by local fishermen, and later picked up by a passing steamer. Strong winds and waves destroyed

Marker sidebar photos image. Click for full size.

2. Marker sidebar photos

the stranded vessel a few days later. (Submitted on August 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Underwater Video of New Orleans shipwreck ruins. This link is a professional underwater video of the New Orleans shipwreck ruins by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (Submitted on August 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Additional keywords. Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans

Rising from the Ashes: The <i>New Orleans</i> Marker (<i>wide view; Thunder Bay River behind</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2018

3. Rising from the Ashes: The New Orleans Marker (wide view; Thunder Bay River behind)

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 190 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.