Shipwreck Report: ARK (1844)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARK
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1844
• Builder: Averill, Chicago, Illinois
• Measurements: 72 ft (21.9 m) length, 16 ft (4.9 m) beam, 5 ft (1.5 m) depth; 50 tons
• Date Lost: November 30, 1853
• Place of Loss: Near Grosse Point, Illinois, approximately 10 miles offshore
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

Description

The ARK was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1844 by Averill in Chicago, Illinois. At 72 feet in length and weighing 50 tons, she was a modest-sized vessel typical of the early schooners that supported the Great Lakes maritime trade in the mid-19th century. Schooners like the ARK were essential for transporting bulk materials, especially in the growing commercial hub of Chicago, which was rapidly establishing itself as a key port city.

The ARK was primarily engaged in the transport of wood, a critical resource for construction and fuel in the rapidly expanding Midwest. Owned and operated by William White of Chicago, the vessel was notable for being the oldest Schooner still operating out of Chicago at the time of her loss.

History

During the mid-1800s, Chicago was emerging as a significant center for commerce, and vessels like the ARK played a vital role in supporting the city’s growth. As one of the eldest vessels in the Chicago fleet, the ARK had served for nearly a decade, transporting lumber and other materials between ports on Lake Michigan.

On November 30, 1853, the ARK departed from Dutchman’s Point, bound for Chicago, carrying a load of wood. While en route, the vessel encountered a severe storm near Grosse Point, Illinois, approximately 10 miles offshore. The Schooner became waterlogged, meaning it took on so much water that it lost buoyancy and became unmanageable.

Recognizing the peril, the crew Abandoned ship. They were later rescued by the Steamer SCOTIA, which transported them to Waukegan, Illinois. Remarkably, there were no casualties in the incident.

Final Disposition

Waterlogged and Abandoned in a storm near Grosse Point, Lake Michigan, on November 30, 1853. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost as the crew was rescued by the Steamer SCOTIA.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the ARK‘s wreck being located off Grosse Point, Illinois. Given the vessel’s small size and age, the wreck may have disintegrated or been buried by shifting lakebed sediments over time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARK wreck site near Grosse Point, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Illinois Maritime Historical Society

Conclusion

The ARK‘s loss in 1853 highlights the risks faced by early schooners operating on Lake Michigan during the mid-19th century. Built in 1844 and recognized as the eldest vessel in the Chicago fleet at the time of her sinking, the ARK was part of the pioneering maritime infrastructure that supported Chicago’s rapid growth into a major commercial hub.

Her foundering near Grosse Point during a storm is a testament to the unpredictable weather conditions that frequently plagued Great Lakes mariners. The safe rescue of her crew by the Steamer SCOTIA underscores the community spirit and camaraderie of mariners during this era.

While the exact location of the wreck remains unknown, the ARK‘s story is an essential part of the maritime history of Lake Michigan and the development of Chicago as a critical port city in the American Midwest.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARK Schooner shipwreck, Grosse Point Lake Michigan shipwreck, Chicago maritime history, Averill Chicago shipbuilders, Steamer SCOTIA rescue
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Mid-19th Century Maritime Disasters, Chicago Maritime Heritage
• Glossary Terms:
• Waterlogged: A condition where a vessel has taken on so much water that it becomes unmanageable and risks sinking.
• Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo in the 19th century.
• Dutchman’s Point: A historical reference point for maritime navigation in the Lake Michigan region.