The PS Alpena was a sidewheel steamer built by Thomas Arnold of Gallagher & Company at Marine City, Michigan in 1866.

The Alpena sank in Lake Michigan in the "Big Blow" storm on October 15, 1880, with the loss of all on board.

The ship was on a trip from Grand Haven, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois, and was spotted at 8:00 am on October 16 in heavy seas.

[2] The loss of life is estimated at about 60-consisting of about 25 crew[3] and about 35 passengers[4] Another ship named Alpena was a freighter built in 1874 and burned to the waterline in 1891.

The Alpena is a moderate sized ship in the Great Lakes fleet; the largest Lakers are almost twice its length and breadth and carry four times as much cargo.