Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARCADIA
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 106552
• Type at Loss: Propeller, wood-hulled, bulk freight
• Date Built and Launched: 1888
• Builder: Milwaukee Ship Yard, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Measurements: 119 ft (36.3 m) length, 26 ft (7.9 m) beam, 9 ft (2.7 m) depth; 230 gross tons, 147 net tons
• Date Lost: April 12, 1907
• Place of Loss: A few miles off Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter

Description

The ARCADIA was a wooden propeller-driven bulk freighter built in 1888 at the Milwaukee Ship Yard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Specifically designed to serve the port town of Arcadia, Michigan, the vessel was constructed to haul hardwood and other bulk commodities across Lake Michigan and beyond. Over her 19 years of service, the ARCADIA became a familiar sight on the lake, contributing to the regional lumber trade that was a cornerstone of the Great Lakes economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History

Owned by Captain Henry May of Arcadia, Michigan, the ARCADIA was a reliable workhorse in the Great Lakes shipping industry. She regularly transported hardwood and other bulk cargoes between ports such as Manistee, Michigan, and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

On April 12, 1907, while en route from Manistee to Two Rivers, the ARCADIA encountered a severe storm off Big Sable Point. The exact cause of the vessel’s sinking remains unknown, but it is suspected that a boiler explosion may have contributed to the disaster. What is certain is that the ARCADIA broke up and sank, resulting in the loss of all 14 crew members on board.

In the days following the sinking, a large quantity of wreckage was encountered offshore by several passing ships. On April 17, 1907, debris from the vessel began washing ashore near Pentwater, Michigan, further confirming the vessel’s tragic fate.

The ARCADIA’s loss marked a significant blow to the Arcadia community, as the ship had been an integral part of the town’s economic activity for nearly two decades. Captain Henry May, the vessel’s owner, was also a well-known figure in the local maritime community, and his death added a personal dimension to the tragedy.

Final Disposition

Broke up and sank in a storm off Big Sable Point on April 12, 1907. The vessel was a Total Loss, and all 14 crew members perished.

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 ARCADIA wreck site off Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The sinking of the ARCADIA in 1907 serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the unpredictable storms that frequently sweep across Lake Michigan. The ship’s suspected boiler explosion highlights the mechanical vulnerabilities of wooden steam vessels, even as they served critical roles in regional commerce. The loss of all 14 crew members, including Captain Henry May, deeply impacted the community of Arcadia, Michigan, where the vessel had been a vital part of the town’s shipping activities for nearly two decades. Though the wreck has never been located, the ARCADIA’s story remains an important part of Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARCADIA shipwreck, Big Sable Point sinking, Lake Michigan bulk freighter loss, hardwood cargo shipwreck, Captain Henry May Arcadia Michigan, boiler explosion shipwreck
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Bulk Freighters, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Boiler Explosion Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
• Boiler Explosion: A catastrophic failure of a steam boiler, often resulting in the rapid release of steam and destruction of the vessel’s structural integrity.
• Big Sable Point: A prominent point on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan known for its lighthouse and history of shipwrecks due to sudden storms and shifting sands.
• Pentwater, Michigan: A town on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan where debris from the ARCADIA washed ashore following the vessel’s sinking.