IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The ARGUS, initially launched as the LEWIS WOODRUFF, was a steel-hulled steam screw bulk freighter built for transporting large quantities of cargo across the Great Lakes. It was robustly constructed to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes navigation, with a screw propulsion system designed for heavy freight, such as coal, which it was carrying at the time of its loss.
HISTORY:
The vessel was built in 1903 by the American Shipbuilding Co. in Lorain, Ohio, and originally named LEWIS WOODRUFF. It was later renamed ARGUS in 1913 when it came under the ownership of the Interlake Steamship Co., managed by Pickands, Mather & Co. The ARGUS was part of the extensive fleet of bulk freighters that serviced the Great Lakes, transporting coal, iron ore, and other heavy materials between ports.
The ARGUS was lost on November 9, 1913, during the infamous “Big Storm” or “Great Storm of 1913,” which remains one of the deadliest storms in Great Lakes history. The storm, spanning from November 7 to November 9, unleashed catastrophic winds and waves across the lakes, leading to the loss of several ships and many lives.
The ARGUS was upbound with a cargo of coal when it encountered the full force of the storm on Lake Huron. Despite the experience of Captain Paul Gutch and his crew, the vessel was no match for the storm’s intensity. The ARGUS foundered off the coast of Kincardine, Ontario, and tragically, all 24 crew members, including one woman, perished in the disaster.
The loss of the ARGUS, along with other vessels during the Great Storm, highlighted the perilous nature of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, especially during the unpredictable weather of late fall.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The ARGUS was lost on November 9, 1913, during the Great Storm of 1913. The vessel and its crew were overwhelmed by the storm’s force, and it sank off Kincardine, Ontario, in Lake Huron. The wreck remained undiscovered until 1972. The total financial loss, including the vessel and its cargo, was valued at $185,000.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are currently associated with the wreck site of the ARGUS. However, caution is advised for any diving or exploration activities due to the depth and potential hazards of the site.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The wreck of the ARGUS was discovered in 1972 off the coast of Kincardine, Ontario, in Lake Huron.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Bowling Green State University
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- The Great Storm of 1913 – An Unprecedented Natural Disaster
- YouTube – Michigan Divers
- Shipwreck Log
- Shipwreck Podcasts
KEYWORDS:
ARGUS, LEWIS WOODRUFF, Great Storm of 1913, Lake Huron shipwreck, steam screw freighter, maritime disaster, Great Lakes shipwreck.
CONCLUSION:
The ARGUS, formerly known as the LEWIS WOODRUFF, met a tragic end during the Great Storm of 1913, a powerful reminder of the immense dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. The storm claimed numerous lives and ships, etching the memory of that fateful November into maritime history. The wreck of the ARGUS, discovered in 1972, serves as a silent monument to the strength of nature and the bravery of those who sailed the Great Lakes. The legacy of the ARGUS and its crew lives on through the stories told and the lessons learned from their sacrifice
