Albany

3D ModelNoAI

The 202 ft sidewheel steamer Albany was built at Detroit in 1846. It was one of the opulent steamers that carried package freight and passengers across the lakes in the mid 1800’s. In 1853 a November storm drove her onto the shore while the steamer was trying to reach the shelter of Presque Isle. All 200 passengers and crew were rescued by local boaters. Unfortunately, before salvagers could rescue the ship another storm broke her apart in a bay which now bears the name of this historic vessel. Today all that is left is a portion of the bottom of the ship, shown in the model, and other small pieces scattered in the shallow water of the bay. The wreck is buoyed seasonally by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary for divers, snorkelers and kayakers. The model was created from 1,403 30-megapixel images shot in the 2024 season.