Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: B.W. Arnold

•Type: Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter (“Lumber Hooker”)

•Built: 1885, by F.W. Wheeler in West Bay City, Michigan

•Official Number: 3333

•Dimensions:

•Length: 202.3 feet (61.6 meters)

•Beam: 36 feet (11 meters)

•Depth: 13.2 feet (4 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 944.30 tons

•Net Tonnage: 673.56 tons

•Final Voyage: November 21, 1896

•Location: 7 miles below the Portage Entrance to the ship canal, Lake Superior, near Ontonagon, Michigan

Vessel Type Description

The B.W. Arnold was a wooden propeller bulk freighter, commonly referred to as a “lumber hooker.” These vessels were integral to the Great Lakes timber industry during the late 19th century, designed to transport large quantities of lumber while accommodating passengers. At the time of its construction, the B.W. Arnold was one of the largest steamers dedicated to the lumber trade, highlighting its significance in the regional economy.

History

The B.W. Arnold had an active career in the Great Lakes shipping industry, primarily transporting lumber:

1.Construction: Built in 1885 by F.W. Wheeler, the B.W. Arnold was one of the largest and most advanced steamers of its kind at the time.

2.Ownership: Operated by Mills Transportation Co. of Marysville, Michigan, the vessel played a key role in the lumber trade, carrying massive loads of timber across the Great Lakes.

3.Notable Incident: In 1893, while towing the Schooner James D. Sawyer, the Schooner was lost during a storm in the Beaver Islands, though the B.W. Arnold survived.

Final Voyage & Incident

On November 21, 1896, the B.W. Arnold was carrying a cargo of 800,000 board feet of lumber, traveling from Ontonagon, Michigan, to Duluth, Minnesota, with the Schooner-Barge James Mowatt in tow.

•Cause of Incident: A fire broke out in the vessel’s Deck load, quickly spreading along the length of the ship.

•Evacuation: Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the crew Abandoned the vessel and sought refuge on the James Mowatt.

•Final Moments:

•The Towline connecting the two vessels was cut.

•The B.W. Arnold drifted ashore approximately 7 miles below the Portage Entrance to the ship canal and burned out completely, becoming a Total Loss.

Ownership & Insurance

•Owners: Mills Transportation Co., Marysville, Michigan.

•Insurance:

•Coverage Amount: $38,000

•Providers:

•Worthington & Sill, Buffalo

•C.A. McDonald & Co., Chicago

•$25,000 placed with the Port Huron Pool, a collective of vessel owners in Port Huron, Michigan.

Legacy

The B.W. Arnold was celebrated as a key player in the lumber trade and was noted for its capacity to carry both cargo and passengers. Its fiery demise underscores the dangers faced by wooden vessels carrying flammable cargoes such as lumber.

Final Disposition

•Status: Total Loss. The vessel burned out and was Abandoned.

•Wreck Site: Likely scattered remnants on the Lake Superior shoreline near the Portage Entrance.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

Keywords

•B.W. Arnold Shipwreck

•Lake Superior Wreck

•Lumber Hooker

•Wooden Propeller Bulk Freighter

•Ontonagon, Michigan

•19th Century Lumber Trade

Conclusion

The loss of the B.W. Arnold highlights the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century, particularly for wooden vessels carrying flammable cargo. Despite its tragic end, the vessel remains an important part of the maritime history of Lake Superior and the Great Lakes lumber trade. Its story is a testament to the resilience of sailors and the economic significance of vessels like the B.W. Arnoldin shaping the region’s industrial growth.