Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARAB
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 311
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast, lumber carrier
• Date Built and Launched: 1854
• Builder: Lavayea, Buffalo, New York
• Measurements: 100 ft (30.5 m) length, 25 ft (7.6 m) beam, 9 ft (2.7 m) depth; 158 tons
• Date Lost: November 13, 1883
• Place of Loss: Well off Arcadia, Michigan, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Lumber Schooner

Description

The ARAB was a wooden two-masted Schooner, purpose-built for transporting lumber, one of the most critical commodities shipped across the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Constructed in 1854 by Lavayea in Buffalo, New York, the vessel was typical of mid-century schooners designed for bulk freight. Throughout her operational life, the ARAB underwent several significant overhauls, including a Rebuild in 1867 and major repairs in 1875 and 1881, reflecting both her longevity and the wear she endured in the often harsh conditions of Lake Michigan.

History

The ARAB served for nearly three decades, primarily hauling lumber between ports along Lake Michigan. Under the command of Captain Chas. Starke during her final voyage, the Schooner had a history of resilience, surviving multiple repairs and rebuilds. However, by 1883, the vessel was approaching the end of her service life.

On November 1, 1883, the ARAB encountered a storm near St. Joseph, Michigan, and was beached as a result. Fortunately, local wreckers acted swiftly, managing to refloat the vessel in a short period. However, her ordeal was far from over. While being towed to Racine, Wisconsin, by the Tug PROTECTION, the ARAB was caught in another powerful gale.

The violent weather proved too much for the already compromised Schooner. The ARAB capsized and sank well off the coast of Arcadia, Michigan, on November 13, 1883. Tragically, one life was lost in the incident—an engineer who was desperately trying to start the Schooner’s pumps in an attempt to save her when she rolled over. The rest of the crew managed to escape the sinking vessel.

Final Disposition

Capsized and sank during a gale while being towed to Racine, Wisconsin, on November 13, 1883. The vessel was a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARAB wreck site near Arcadia, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

Conclusion

The ARAB‘s demise in 1883 marks the end of a vessel that had weathered nearly three decades of Great Lakes service. Despite multiple rebuilds and repairs, the Schooner ultimately succumbed to the very elements she was built to withstand. Her sinking underscores the persistent dangers faced by mariners on Lake Michigan, where sudden storms and structural vulnerabilities could lead to tragedy even for experienced crews. The loss of the engineer, who was attempting to save the vessel at the time of her capsizing, highlights the human cost of maritime work in an era before modern safety equipment and technologies. The ARAB‘s story is emblematic of the challenges and risks that defined 19th-century shipping on the Great Lakes.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARAB Schooner, Arcadia Michigan shipwreck, Lake Michigan lumber Schooner, tug PROTECTION towing, Captain Chas. Starke, Great Lakes storm shipwreck
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Lumber Schooners of the Great Lakes, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
• Beached: The act of intentionally or unintentionally running a vessel aground, often to prevent sinking or to facilitate repairs.
• Capsized: When a vessel overturns in the water, often due to instability caused by weather or structural failure.
• Wreckers: Individuals or crews specializing in salvaging ships that have run aground or been damaged at sea.