Alva B
| Ship Name: | Alva B |
|---|---|
| Also Known As: | None |
| Type of Ship: | Tug, Steam, Wooden construction |
| Ship Size: | 73.5' x 18.4' x 10.5' |
| Ship Owner: | American Towing Co., Buffalo, NY |
| Gross Tonnage: | 83 |
| Net Tonnage: | 41 |
| Typical Cargo: | None |
| Year Built: | 1890 - Dry Dock, Buffalo, N.Y. |
| Official Wreck Number: | 106738 |
|---|---|
| Wreck Location: | 41 30.759 N 82 01.923 W (Kelch et. al., personal dives) |
| Type of Ship at Loss: | Steam Tug, Wooden |
| Cargo on Ship at Loss: | None |
| Captain of Ship at Loss: | Barrington |
Waves and ice scour have taken their toll over the years. Scattered remains, including some timbers, planking, the steam boiler and other various engine parts in 10-12 FOW on a bottom of mostly sand, rock and gravel. The boiler can be a navigation hazard during periods of low water levels.
This is yet another interesting wreck for novice divers and snorkelers, as visibility is usually fair to good. (Note: the Sarah Sheldon, offshore of Sheffield Lake, is also shallow, accessible for novice scuba divers and snorkelers, and is relatively close to the Alva B. The wrecks of the Prince, Adventure and Hanna, all nearshore of Kellys Island, are also shallow and provide good opportunity for novice scuba and snorkeling. All of these wreck sites can be found on this website)
The Alva B wreck provides habitat for a number of Lake Erie fish species, including smallmouth bass, rock bass, sheepshead, sunfish, the non-indigenous round goby, and others. Like other nearshore, shallow water wreck sites, anglers will also visit the location. Make sure you fly the diver-down flag, and keep someone on board to flag away unknowing anglers, curious boaters and jet skiers.
As the wreck is covered by zebra and quagga mussels, divers should use caution. If you're a fish watcher, the Alva B, along with the other mentioned nearshore, shallow wreck sites, are well worth the visit; especially for kids who are interested in snorkeling to see "what's under the surface" of Lake Erie.
Unfortunately, the propeller and anchor from the Alva B were taken in the early 1970's by a group of residents from Avon Lake. Fortunately, however, the propeller sits on permanent display at the Miller Road Park in Avon Lake, with her anchor and anchor chain located at a prominent Avon Lake Resort, formerly know as the Aqua Marine Resort. These artifacts, although best to remain at the original shipwreck site, provide shipwreck curious non-divers, maritime history buffs and others to visibly observe past maritime history.
(Source: Kelch, personal dive experience)
Foundered Nov. 1, 1917, off Avon Point, Avon Lake, Ohio. There are conflicting stories of the event. One states that amusement park lights from the shore were mistaken by the crew and captain for the Cleveland harbor, resulting in the tug grounding in nearshore waters. Had reportedly lain for some time at Sandusky, OH, and hull had dried out; began leaking during a gale while en-route from Sandusky to Cleveland and was beached in order to save the captain and crew.
Other than tug service, the Alva B had been used to search for other shipwrecks in Lake Erie. At one time, she collided offshore of Cleveland with the tug American Eagle while both were seeking harbor-bound ships to tow. After the collision, the Alva B took the American Eagle in tow, only to have the American Eagle go down in 36 feet of depth about 1/4 mile northwest of the harbor breakwall. All hands from the American Eagle were rescued by the Alva B.
1. GLHS/PLESRC Archives and Collections
2. Historical Collections of the Great Lakes BGSU Archives and Collections
3. GLHS files, original news clippings (date/paper name not readable)
4. David Swayze SHIPWRECK 1992
5. Chris Kohl G L Diving
6. Alchem Incorporated: Erie-Huron Shipwrecks; http://www.alcheminc.com/huron
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This web site was prepared by the Ohio Sea Grant College Program using Federal funds under award NA16NOS4190094 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, or the Office of Coastal Management.