St Albans, August 2025

Описание: Diving the St. Albans off of Milwaukee, WI.

This is my complete dive (minus descent and ascent) and posted with the intention of allowing others to research this wreck before creating their own dive plan and diving the wreck themselves.

00:00 Details
2:10 The Propeller and Rudder
8:40 The Bow
18:55 Cargo Hold

Links:
https://wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vesse...
New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/1881/02/01/ar...

Written by AI:
Milwaukee, WI – Nearly a century and a half ago, a fierce Lake Michigan winter claimed the wooden steam propeller, St. Albans, 7 miles northeast of Milwaukee. Her ghostly remains, remarkably intact for a vessel of her age and fate, now lie in 165 feet of water, a silent testament to the perils of Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th century.

The St. Albans, a steam propeller built in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868, served as a crucial artery for passengers and freight across the lower Great Lakes. Designed to the dimensions of the Welland Canal, she was a workhorse of the burgeoning Great Lakes shipping industry. In 1880, she underwent extensive repairs, receiving new frames and arches to prolong her working life. However, even these reinforcements couldn't prepare her for the brutal conditions she encountered on January 30, 1881.

Departing from Milwaukee laden with a cargo of flour and livestock, bound for Ludington, Michigan, the St. Albans navigated a treacherous expanse of ice fields. Despite diligent efforts by the crew to keep the pumps running and the vessel dry, disaster struck around 10:45 am. A sudden alarm from the engineer signaled a rapid influx of water into the hull. The crew frantically searched for the source of the leak, ultimately discovering a foot-long gash in the port bow, almost certainly inflicted by the relentless ice.
Within a mere 30 minutes, the rising water extinguished the ship's fires, rendering her helpless. Faced with an unsalvageable situation, the captain and crew, along with six passengers, were forced to abandon ship in lifeboats. Miraculously, all 26 individuals safely reached Milwaukee, witnessing their vessel slip beneath the icy surface, lost to the depths.

The St. Albans' wreck now lies approximately 15 miles north-northeast of Milwaukee's North Point. While the mid-ship has collapsed, the bow and stern remain largely intact, making it a captivating dive site. Visibility in the area is often good, reaching up to 100 feet, allowing divers to explore the well-preserved wreck and reflect on its dramatic past. The St. Albans is located within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, designated in 2021 and co-managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the state of Wisconsin, ensuring its continued preservation.

The discovery and exploration of shipwrecks like the St. Albans provide valuable insights into maritime history and the challenges faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. They serve as underwater museums, preserving stories of human endeavor, trade, and the unforgiving nature of these vast freshwater seas.