IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
•Vessel Name: ARIZONA (also reported as CITY OF Marquette in some reports)
•Type: Bulk Carrier (originally Passenger and Freight Steamer)
•Builder: Quayle & Martin, supervised by Master Carpenter Thomas Quayle
•Year Built: 1868
•Location Built: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
•Material: Wood
•Dimensions:
•Length: 187.5 feet (57.2 meters)
•Beam: 32.4 feet (9.9 meters)
•Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
•Decks: Two
•Tonnage:
•Original: 870.74 tons
•Later Adjusted: 765.03 gross tons, 601.06 net tons
•Final Location: Near Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River (between channel marker 244 and Wolfe Island)
•Coordinates: N 44° 06’ 55”, W 76° 24’ 40”
•Depth: 10–20 feet (3–6 meters)
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The ARIZONA was a wooden propeller Steamship, the first on the Great Lakes equipped with a compound engine—a cutting-edge innovation for its time. Initially designed as a passenger and freight Steamer, it was later reconstructed as a steam Barge in 1888, featuring steel arches and a steel boiler house. Although some reports referred to it as the CITY OF Marquette, official records retained the name ARIZONA.
HISTORY
Launched in 1868, the ARIZONA began as a premier passenger and freight Steamer on the Great Lakes. Early in its career, it operated between Chicago and Buffalo under the Erie & Western Transportation Co. (Anchor Line). Its use of a compound engine showcased technological advancements in Steamship design, optimizing fuel efficiency and power.
Over its service, the vessel encountered several notable incidents:
•1873 Collision: The ARIZONA collided with the B. W. BLANCHARD, sinking near St. Clair Flats. It was salvaged and repaired in Detroit.
•1887 Fire: While carrying oil and acid, the ARIZONA caught fire and sank in Marquette, Michigan. It was raised and restored for continued use.
•Reconstruction (1888): Converted into a steam Barge to handle bulk cargo. Structural modifications included steel arches and a steel boiler house.
By the early 20th century, the vessel primarily transported bulk goods, such as grain and ore. In 1922, a catastrophic fire near Cape Vincent, Lake Ontario, ended its operational life. Later, its remains were scuttled in the St. Lawrence River, contributing to the Wolfe Island wreck graveyard.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The ARIZONA lies in 10–20 feet of water in the St. Lawrence River, near Wolfe Island. The Keel and ribs remain upright and intact, while Deck and side fragments are scattered across the riverbed. The wreck site, shallow and moderately current-affected, attracts divers and historians.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
•No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are directly associated with the wreck.
•Divers must exercise caution due to moderate currents near Wolfe Island.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck was identified near channel marker 244 and Wolfe Island in the St. Lawrence River. Although its discovery date is unspecified, it has been a known site for decades.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The wreck lies in a relatively shallow depth of 10–20 feet, making it accessible to divers. Despite deterioration over time, the structural remains provide insight into 19th-century shipbuilding. Moderate currents and the dispersed nature of the wreck challenge navigation but offer a rewarding dive for enthusiasts.
RESOURCES & LINKS
1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes
2.Save Ontario Shipwrecks
Save Ontario Shipwrecks – Wolfe Island
4.Wrecksite Database
CONCLUSION
The ARIZONA, later referred to as the CITY OF Marquette, exemplifies the adaptability and innovation of 19th-century Great Lakes vessels. Its transition from passenger Steamer to Bulk Carrier reflects the evolving demands of regional maritime trade. Today, its wreck near Wolfe Island serves as a valuable historical and recreational site, inviting exploration and appreciation of Great Lakes maritime history.
KEYWORDS
•ARIZONA wreck
•CITY OF Marquette
•Wolfe Island wreck
•St. Lawrence River shipwreck
•Wooden Steamship
•Anchor Line history
•Great Lakes maritime history
•Shipwreck diving site
•19th-century propeller Steamship
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