Algoma

 

A village located in Kewaunee County, in the eastern part of Wisconsin. Its name is probably derived from two Algonquin words: "Algonquin" and "goma" to form "Algoma," or, "Algonquin waters."

 

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Algoma—a wooden-hulled screw sloop—was laid down in May 1867 by the Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy Yard; launched on 18 August 1868; and sponsored by Miss Maria Decatur (later Mrs. Wyndham Mayo), the daughter of Capt. Stephen Decatur who in turn was the nephew of the Commodore Stephen Decatur who won fame in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. However, a little less than seven months prior to the ship's commissioning, her name was changed from Algoma to Benicia (q.v.) on 15 May 1869