Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARGO
• Former Names: Built as LIZZIE T. DAVIS
• Official Number: 140195
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, former yacht
• Date Built and Launched: 1873
• Builder: Boothbay, Maine
• Measurements: 36 ft (11 m) length, 14 ft (4.3 m) beam, 4 ft (1.2 m) depth; 15 gross tons, 14 net tons
• Date Lost: July 3, 1905
• Place of Loss: Near Ludington, Michigan, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner (Former Yacht)

Description

The ARGO, originally built as the yacht LIZZIE T. DAVIS in 1873 in Boothbay, Maine, was a small wooden Schooner that transitioned from a private leisure craft to a commercial vessel over the course of her life. Measuring only 36 feet in length, the ARGO was significantly smaller than the typical cargo schooners that plied the Great Lakes, reflecting her origins as a yacht before being repurposed for other duties.

History

Following her construction in Maine, the LIZZIE T. DAVIS was eventually renamed ARGO and relocated to the Great Lakes, where she was registered out of Grand Haven, Michigan. By the early 20th century, the vessel was no longer serving as a yacht but was likely employed in light commercial activities, though specific details about her cargo or duties remain scarce.

On July 3, 1905, while sailing near Ludington, Michigan, the ARGO Foundered under unspecified circumstances. The term “Foundered” typically refers to a vessel filling with water and sinking, often due to structural failure, weather conditions, or collisions. No detailed records explain the exact cause of her loss.

At the time of the incident, there were two people aboard, and both survived the sinking. While the vessel was lost, the absence of any fatalities suggests that the incident occurred close enough to shore or in calm enough conditions for the crew to escape safely.

Final Disposition

Foundered near Ludington, Lake Michigan, on July 3, 1905. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the ARGO wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARGO wreck site near Ludington, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The ARGO, originally launched as the yacht LIZZIE T. DAVIS in 1873, reflects the adaptability of many 19th-century vessels that transitioned from leisure use to commercial service on the Great Lakes. Though small in size, the Schooner contributed to the regional maritime economy until her foundering near Ludington in 1905. While the exact cause of the loss remains unknown, the survival of both crew members suggests that the sinking occurred under circumstances that allowed for a safe evacuation. The ARGO’s story is a reminder of the diverse range of vessels that navigated Lake Michigan, from large freighters to modest schooners like hers.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ARGO Schooner shipwreck, LIZZIE T. DAVIS yacht, Ludington shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, Grand Haven maritime history
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Yacht-to-Schooner Conversions, Small Vessel Shipwrecks, Early 20th Century Maritime Incidents
• Glossary Terms:
  • Foundered: A term indicating that a vessel filled with water and sank, typically due to structural failure or weather conditions.
  • Boothbay, Maine: A renowned shipbuilding center in the 19th century, known for producing both yachts and commercial vessels.
  • Ludington, Michigan: A port city on Lake Michigan with a rich maritime history, often associated with both commercial shipping and recreational boating.