Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARCTIC
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 299
• Type at Loss: Propeller, wood-hulled, bulk freight “steambarge”
• Date Built and Launched: 1864
• Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
• Measurements: 194 ft (59.1 m) length, 28 ft (8.5 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; 596 gross tons, 411 net tons
• Date Lost: September 5, 1893
• Place of Loss: South of Sand Beach (now Harbour Beach), near White Rock, Michigan, Lake Huron

Vessel Type

Wooden Propeller Steambarge

Description

The ARCTIC was a wooden propeller-driven steambarge, designed for bulk freight transportation on the Great Lakes. Built in 1864 by Peck & Masters of Cleveland, Ohio, the ARCTIC was part of the growing fleet of steam-powered vessels that revolutionized shipping on the lakes during the late 19th century. Measuring nearly 200 feet in length, the steambarge was primarily employed in the transport of bulk commodities as coal, reflecting the industrial growth of the region during this period.

History

Owned by A.T. Underwood & Cowan of Menominee, Michigan, the ARCTIC was a workhorse on Lake Huron, regularly hauling coal and other freight between key industrial ports, including Toledo and Escanaba. On her final voyage in September 1893, the vessel was en route from Toledo to Escanaba with a load of coal.

On September 5, 1893, while navigating the waters south of Sand Beach (modern-day Harbour Beach), the ARCTIC encountered heavy seas and was further disoriented by dense smoke, from onboard engine issues or nearby forest fires, which were not uncommon in the region during that time. The combination of poor Visibility and rough weather led the vessel to strike rocks off White Rock, Michigan.

Despite the impact, the crew managed to escape, and no lives were lost in the incident. The ARCTIC ultimately sank in deep water, becoming one of many shipwrecks in the treacherous waters of Lake Huron. The crew was rescued by consort vessels—ships traveling alongside the ARCTIC in a convoy, which was a common practice for additional safety.

Final Disposition

Struck rocks off White Rock, Michigan, and sank in deep water on September 5, 1893, due to disorientation from smoke and heavy seas. The vessel was a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the ARCTIC was located in 1987 in deep water off White Rock, Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARCTIC wreck site near White Rock, Lake Huron.

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 ARCTIC in 1893 highlights the dual threats of natural hazards and environmental conditions on the Great Lakes. Disoriented by smoke and battling heavy seas, the vessel’s crew was unable to avoid the rocky shoreline near White Rock, Michigan. Although the steambarge was lost, the safe rescue of the crew reflects the solidarity and coordination typical among Great Lakes mariners. The discovery of the wreck in 1987 offers maritime historians and divers an opportunity to explore one of Lake Huron’s many submerged relics from the era of wooden steam-powered freighters.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARCTIC steambarge shipwreck, White Rock Michigan shipwreck, Lake Huron coal freighter loss, Harbor Beach maritime history, A.T. Underwood & Cowan Menominee, Peck & Masters shipbuilders
• Categories: Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Wooden Steambarges, Coal Freighter Shipwrecks, 19th Century Shipwreck Discoveries, Storm and Smoke Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Steambarge: A steam-powered vessel designed to carry bulk freight, particularly prevalent on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• White Rock, Michigan: A small community and notable maritime landmark on Lake Huron, near the site of several shipwrecks due to rocky outcrops and shifting shoals.
• Consort Vessels: Ships traveling together for mutual support and safety, commonly used on the Great Lakes during periods of heavy cargo transport.