The PS Alpena was a sidewheel steamer constructed in 1866 by Thomas Arnold of Gallagher & Company in Marine City, Michigan. The vessel measured approximately 197 feet (60 meters) in length, with a beam of 27 feet (8.2 meters) and a draft of 12 feet (3.7 meters). It had a displacement of about 654 tons. The ship was powered by a steam engine, notable for its walking beam mechanism, which was visible above the paddlewheels, a characteristic feature of steamers of that era. Operated initially by Gardner, Ward & Gallagher, the Alpena was purchased in April 1868 by the Goodrich Line, which then managed its service. As a passenger and cargo vessel, the Alpena was employed in Lake Michigan, primarily running routes such as between Grand Haven, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois. Her construction and design reflected the typical mid-19th-century paddle steamer technology, with side-mounted paddlewheels driven by a steam engine. Tragically, the Alpena met its demise during the "Big Blow" storm on October 15, 1880. While en route from Grand Haven to Chicago, she encountered heavy seas and was last observed at 8:00 am on October 16. A likely cause of her sinking was a shift in cargo, which may have contributed to her capsizing amidst the storm's tumult. The disaster resulted in the loss of at least 60 lives, including approximately 25 crew members and 35 passengers. The ship capsized in Lake Michigan and drifted northwestward. Debris from the wreckage, including a piano, apples, and wooden debris, washed ashore in Holland and Saugatuck, Michigan, with a stretch of beach near Holland still bearing the name "Alpena Beach." The sinking of the Alpena stands as a notable maritime tragedy in Lake Michigan's history, illustrating the dangers faced by 19th-century steamers navigating the Great Lakes.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.