History #
The ARK was a scow-schooner, a wooden vessel with iron strapping, and it had three masts. It was built in 1875 by A. Muir in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The specifications of the ARK were 177 feet in length, 36 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 512 tons.
On October 3, 1887, during a storm, the ARK went aground near Grindstone City, Michigan, close to Pointe Aux Barques, on Lake Huron. It suffered heavy damage while being towed by the steamer ALBION. The ARK was owned by A. Muir & Bros. from Port Dalhousie. Although it was released, it was wrecked again on October 24 of the same year, near Port Colborne, also due to a storm. The vessel dragged its anchor and went ashore. The ARK was ultimately declared a total loss on both occasions.
During the first grounding, the crew of the ARK abandoned the vessel, and it was reported to be ashore at Grindstone City. The ALBION, the steambarge towing the ARK, was also stranded. However, the ARK was released with little damage, while the ALBION was declared a total loss.
In the second incident, the ARK was being towed by the steambarge ENTERPRISE, bound up the lake from Buffalo. However, the steambarge encountered a gale that caused the smokestack to be carried away. Unable to maintain steam power, the ENTERPRISE turned back and headed for Port Colborne. While attempting to enter the harbor, the steambarge couldn’t keep the ARK upwind enough to reach the piers, so they had to cut the towline. The ENTERPRISE made it to port safely, but the ARK, dragging its anchor, went ashore east of the piers. Fortunately, the crew of the ARK managed to reach safety.
The ARK remained stranded on the beach at Port Colborne until November 24, 1887, when it was reported to be in a fair way of being released.
In terms of casualties, there were no reported loss of life in both incidents involving the ARK.
