Publication showing two docks. Ogensburg Pier and Quebec Pier where the Algonquin sunk and pull ashore.

Died of old age, abandoned and sank where it remained under water for 30 years. The ALGONQUIN was retired, and within few years her leaking old hulk was pulled into the cat tails nearby and abandoned on the easterly side of Quebec pier at Superior City. Wreck became a local landmark, older citizens began talking pieces of it for souvenirs. Parts of the historic craft were made into furniture, canes, letter-openers and other keepsakes.

1884

John A. Bardon purchased the ALGONQUIN and hauled her out of the water to use for timber for another vessel - steam yacht, but the his project was scrapped after most of the boat was carted off by souvenir seekers while Mr. Bardon was out of town.33 Her remains were also the target of extensive salvage over the years as canes, furniture, and tables were fashioned out of timbers that were preyed from her hull.

Sunset over Lake Superior
Keweenaw Peninsula
Photograph by Donald V. Purn

An early historian, James Butler describes her as such:

“Walking down the oldest pier in the city of Superior, I saw on the right the shattered wreck of a vessel. This ruinous heap, keel, keelson, with ribs, as well as something of stem, stern, and sheathing, I was told to be all that remained of the ALGONQUIN, an old timer which some believe the first decked vessel that had reached the head of the lake. The amphibious mass, lying half on land and half on water, I perceive to be highly prized as a quarry of curios. The rusted spikes had tinged the water logged oak with charming tints, and hence canes, chairs, and tables had been fashioned out of this hulk. Seeing these things, full of associations and of intrinsic beauty, I quoted Shakespeare: “Nothing of it doth fade, But hath suffered a sea change, Into something rich and strange.”

Speaker Reed was presented a silver ornamented gavel fashioned from the timbers of the ALGONQUIN. It was the gift from E. P. Nelson of Duluth.

1932

Superior historian John A. Bardon reported in a 1932 Evening Telegram article that the ship had “entirely disappeared.”

Date Unknown

Final resting place of the little schooner is buried in fill used to create bed for the railroad tracks leading into the Flour Company

Entering the first years of the 21st century newspaper article commented: The country is at risk of forgetting that his modest little schooner even existed. The grave of the old ALGONQUIN should be marked along with the site of the first commercial pier at the Head of the Lakes.

NOTES ON EVENTS WITHOUT DATES

Captain Davis was the master of the ALGONQUIN but no year was given.
Brought Charlie Mott and Angelique to Isle Royal and retrieved her.
Helped salvage the historic steamer Independence at Ashland Wisconsin.
First vessel to ascend the St. Louis River to Fond du Lac.
Captains Rockwood and Goldsmith commanded the vessel at different times.
Gaudin hauled logs from Bad River area (south Apostle Is.) and returned supplies for his
trading post at La Pointe.

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Algonquin Historic Commission and its creator Donald V. Purn. Pages may be copied
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