History of the Algoma

The Algoma (Official Number 85766) was a passenger ship built in 1883 by Aitken & Mansell, Kelvinhaugh, in Glasgow, Scotland for the Canadian Pacific Railway Co.  The Algoma's dimensions were 264' long with a beam of 38' and a depth of 23'.  Unfortunately in 1883 a ship of this length was too large to pass through the Welland Canal.  Before it could be taken through the St. Lawrence River and Welland Canal it had to be cut in half then later rejoined in Buffalo, N.Y.  After passenger cabins were added it was re-launched on May 11, 1884.

On November 7, 1885 en-route to Port Authur in a blinding snow storm the Algoma ran aground on Greenstone Beach of Mott Island, Isle Royale.  The ship immediately broke in two with the stern section firmly aground on the beach.  The bow section reportedly drifted off and sank deep water.  Fourteen passengers and crew members survived a grueling day on the wreck before being rescued by the Athabasca.  In all 46 passengers and crew died in the accident.  The Algoma tragedy was the single largest loss of life in Lake Superior history.

Much of the Algoma was salvaged in 1886 with some reports stating that the salvage included parts of the bow.  It has never been proven whether the bow was salvaged or still lies somewhere off Isle Royale in deep water.

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