Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARABIAN
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None (pre-registration era)
• Type at Loss: Bark, wood-hulled, 3-mast (originally built as a Brig)
• Date Built and Launched: 1853
• Builder: Niagara (specific shipyard unknown)
• Measurements: 350 tons
• Date Lost: November 29, 1856
• Place of Loss: Off Point Betsie, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Three-Masted Bark (originally built as a Brig)

Description

The ARABIAN was a wooden, three-masted Bark originally constructed as a Brig in 1853 in Niagara. Designed for versatility and cargo transport, vessels like the ARABIAN were vital to maritime trade on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. Weighing 350 tons, she was capable of carrying significant loads, contributing to the economic growth of port cities such as Oswego, New York, where she was owned by Fitzhugh and Littlejohn.

History

The ARABIAN had an eventful but short operational history. Shortly after her launch, the vessel was severely damaged in a citywide fire in Oswego in June 1853. Despite this early setback, the ship was repaired and returned to service, continuing her voyages across the Great Lakes.

In November 1856, the ARABIAN encountered a series of unfortunate events leading to her eventual loss. About 10 days prior to her sinking, the vessel stranded on Goose Island Shoal, located approximately 10 miles east-northeast of Mackinac Island. After being relieved of her cargo, she was set to be towed to Chicago by the Propeller Steamer OGONTZ.

However, during the tow, a gale blew up, and the tow cable parted, leaving the ARABIAN adrift with her pumps working at full force to manage incoming water. Despite the crew’s best efforts, the vessel was unable to stay afloat. The ARABIAN attempted to make for shore with the OGONTZ following closely, but the two ships were separated during the night due to worsening weather conditions.

Eventually, the pumps failed, and the ARABIAN Foundered off Point Betsie on November 29, 1856. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. The crew managed to abandon ship and were later rescued by the Schooner FORTUNE.

There is some indication that the ARABIAN may have been recovered and Rebuilt as the Bark ODD FELLOW, though this has not been definitively confirmed.

Final Disposition

Foundered off Point Betsie, Lake Michigan, on November 29, 1856, after the tow cable parted during a gale. The vessel was a Total Loss, though reports suggest she may have been recovered and Rebuilt as the Bark ODD FELLOW.

Located By & Date Found

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

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARABIAN wreck site off Point Betsie, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The loss of the ARABIAN in 1856 illustrates the challenges faced by mid-19th-century mariners navigating the treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. After surviving a citywide fire in Oswego in 1853 and a grounding on Goose Island Shoal, the vessel ultimately succumbed to a gale off Point Betsie. Despite the crew’s efforts to keep her afloat, mechanical failures and harsh weather led to her foundering. While there were no fatalities, the incident underscores the risks associated with towing operations and the unpredictable nature of Lake Michigan’s weather. The possibility that the ARABIAN was recovered and Rebuilt as the ODD FELLOW adds an intriguing postscript to the vessel’s story, reflecting the era’s emphasis on resourcefulness and maritime salvage.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARABIAN Bark shipwreck, Point Betsie shipwreck, Lake Michigan gale shipwreck, OGONTZ towing incident, Fitzhugh and Littlejohn Oswego, ODD FELLOW Rebuild
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Bark Shipwrecks, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Tow Incidents
• Glossary Terms:
• Bark (Barque): A sailing vessel with three or more masts, with the fore and main masts square-rigged and the aft mast rigged fore-and-aft.
• Foundered: A maritime term indicating that a vessel took on water and sank, often due to structural failure or severe weather conditions.
• Goose Island Shoal: A hazardous underwater formation near Mackinac Island, notorious for causing ship groundings in the 19th century.