IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: ARLINGTON (formerly GLENCADAM and F.P. JONES)

•Type: Steel-Built Bulk Freighter

•Builder: Detroit Shipbuilding Co., supervised by Thomas Quayle

•Year Built: 1913

•Location Built: Wyandotte, Michigan, USA

•Material: Steel

•Dimensions:

•Length: 244 feet (74.4 meters)

•Beam: 43 feet (13.1 meters)

•Depth: 21 feet (6.4 meters)

•Decks: One

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 1,870 tons

•Net: 1,118 tons

•Final Location: Lake Superior

•Year of Loss: May 1, 1940

•Coordinates: Not available

•Depth: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ARLINGTON was a steel bulk freighter built for carrying large volumes of cargo, such as grain or coal, across the Great Lakes. Originally designed as a robust and efficient vessel, it featured a triple-expansion steam engine and Scotch boilers, typical of freighters built during the early 20th century. Its steel construction offered enhanced durability compared to earlier wooden vessels, making it well-suited for the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

The ARLINGTON began its service in 1913, launched as the GLENCADAM by the George Hall Coal Co. Throughout its life, the vessel underwent multiple ownership changes and served various purposes:

•1913–1918: Operated under George Hall Coal Co., primarily in the coal and grain trade.

•1918–1919: Transferred to the U.S. Government during World War I.

•1920–1925: Acquired by Glen Line Ltd and renamed F.P. JONES.

•1925–1933: Purchased by Mathews Steamship Co. and renamed ARLINGTON.

•1933–1936: Became part of the Misener Steamship Co. fleet.

•1936–1940: Acquired by Burke Towing & Salvage Co.

The freighter faced several challenges during its career, including frequent repairs and modifications. Despite these, it remained a reliable vessel until its final voyage.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On May 1, 1940, the ARLINGTON departed carrying 98,000 bushels of wheat. During its voyage on Lake Superior, the vessel encountered a powerful storm. Heavy seas caused significant water ingress, leading to instability. Despite efforts by the crew to secure the hatches and stabilize the ship, the ARLINGTON began to sink rapidly.

•Captain Burke remained on the bridge, attempting to manage the vessel as the lifeboats were launched. Tragically, he went down with the ship.

•The surviving crew escaped in a lifeboat and were rescued by the nearby SS COLLINGWOOD.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are associated with the ARLINGTON wreck. The exact location remains unknown, adding an air of mystery to the ship’s final resting place.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The ARLINGTON’s wreck has not been located or explored. Its exact resting place remains undetermined, likely in deep waters of Lake Superior.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given its steel construction and the cold, oxygen-poor waters of Lake Superior, parts of the ARLINGTON are likely well-preserved. However, the probable depth of the wreck, combined with the lack of specific coordinates, renders it largely inaccessible. Exploration would require advanced sonar technology and technical diving capabilities.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1.David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwrecks

2.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History Database

3.Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Shipwrecks Database

4.Bowling Green State University: Historical Ship Database

5.Huronia Museum: Huronia Museum

CONCLUSION

The ARLINGTON‘s loss in 1940 highlights the perils of Great Lakes shipping, especially during periods of severe weather. Despite the ship’s strong construction and experienced crew, the unpredictable nature of Lake Superior proved fatal. The vessel’s history, marked by resilience and adaptation, serves as a testament to the evolution of maritime trade and technology on the Great Lakes. While its exact resting place remains unknown, the ARLINGTON continues to be remembered as part of the region’s rich maritime heritage.

KEYWORDS

•ARLINGTON

•GLENCADAM

•Lake Superior shipwreck

•Great Lakes freighter

•20th-century maritime history

•Steel freighter wreck

•Burke Towing & Salvage

•SS COLLINGWOOD rescue

•Lake Superior storms

•Shipwreck exploration

s from this period.
3. HISTORY
The ARLINGTON had a varied and eventful history, starting with its launch as the GLENCADAM in 1913. Initially owned by the George Hall Coal Co., the ship was transferred to the U.S. Government in 1918 during World War I and then returned to the George Hall Coal Co. in 1919. During this time, the vessel was renamed GLENCADAM. Ownership changed again in 1920 when it was acquired by Glen Line Ltd (Playfair) and registered with the official number C138219. In 1925, the ship was purchased by Mathews Steamship Co Ltd and renamed ARLINGTON.

The ARLINGTON continued to change hands, becoming part of the Misener Steamship Co fleet in 1933 and later being acquired by Burke Towing & Salvage Co in 1936. Throughout its service life, the freighter was engaged in the transport of various bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION
On May 1, 1940, the ARLINGTON embarked on what would become its final voyage on Lake Superior. The ship had been loaded with approximately 98,000 bushels of wheat and was deemed to be in good condition before the 1940 shipping season. However, the vessel encountered severe weather and heavy seas, leading to significant water ingress and listing. Despite the crew’s efforts to inspect and secure the hatches, the situation deteriorated rapidly.
As the ship began to sink, Captain Burke remained in the pilothouse, trying to stabilize the vessel while the lifeboats were launched. Tragically, the ARLINGTON suddenly sank, taking Captain Burke with it. The remaining crew members managed to escape in a lifeboat and were later rescued by the SS COLLINGWOOD, which had been sailing alongside the ARLINGTON.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the ARLINGTON. The exact location of the wreck is not provided, but it is known to be on the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Superior.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the ARLINGTON has not been specifically located or explored, and its exact resting place remains unknown.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
Given that the ARLINGTON sank in 1940, the wreck is likely to be in deep water within Lake Superior. The vessel’s steel construction may have preserved parts of the Hull, but the harsh conditions and cold water at such depths typically result in slow deterioration. Without precise location data, the wreck remains largely inaccessible to divers.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS

David Swayze Shipwreck File : Website
Maritime History of the Great Lakes : Website
Great Lakes Ships : Website
Bowling Green State University : Website
Huronia Museum : Website
Barrie Today : Website

9. ADDITIONAL NOTES
The ARLINGTON’s final voyage is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by freighters on the Great Lakes, particularly during periods of severe weather. Despite the vessel’s solid construction and regular maintenance, the unpredictable conditions of Lake Superior proved too much. The loss of Captain Burke, who stayed behind to try and save his ship, underscores the bravery and dedication of mariners during this era.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the lack of precise coordinates and the probable depth at which the ARLINGTON rests, diving to the wreck site is not recommended or feasible for most divers. The cold and deep waters of Lake Superior present significant challenges, and any exploration would require advanced technical diving capabilities and permissions.
TAGS

Lake Superior
20th Century
Steel Freighter
Maritime History
Shipwreck

CONCLUSION
The steel freighter ARLINGTON, formerly known as GLENCADAM and F.P. JONES, had a long and storied career on the Great Lakes before meeting its tragic end in 1940. The ship’s sinking in Lake Superior serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating these inland seas, especially during times of severe weather. Although the wreck remains largely unexplored, the ARLINGTON’s story is a valuable part of Great Lakes maritime history.