IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Aragon was a steel-hulled propeller-driven steamship, originally built for general cargo transport on the Great Lakes. After multiple rebuilds, it was converted into a self-unloader for sand and gravel service, reflecting the vessel’s adaptability and extended utility across different industries. The vessel underwent significant modifications to enhance its functionality, including a transition to the Canadian registry where it was known as Bayanna.
HISTORY: #
- Launch Date: May 23, 1896, at Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- Rebuilds:
- 1922: Rebuilt to Canadian measures (249.25 x 41.75 x 15.25 feet, 1642 gross tons, 963 net tons) and reconstructed for sand and gravel service.
- 1927: Converted to a self-unloader (1643 gross tons, 963 registered tons).
- 1960: Received a pilothouse from the scrapped Canadian steamer Collier.
- Significant Events:
- October 1898: Stranded near Cascade Rapids; hull damaged but vessel released.
- November 17, 1921: Stranded on Salmon Point, Lake Ontario; released and surrendered to underwriters.
- December 1, 1962: Stranded in the Bay of Quinte near Belleville, Ontario.
- December 10, 1963: Refloated and taken to Deseronto, Ontario.
- May 1964: Gutted by fire and subsequently scrapped in shallow water at Deseronto, Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Bayanna (formerly Aragon) met its end in May 1964 when it was gutted by fire in the Bay of Quinte, Deseronto, Ontario. Following the fire, the vessel was broken up for scrap in shallow water, marking the conclusion of its nearly 70-year operational history on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the final location of the Bayanna, as the vessel was dismantled and scrapped.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The vessel was dismantled in shallow water at Deseronto, Ontario, in 1964.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The Bayanna was scrapped following a fire, and no significant remains of the vessel are accessible for exploration.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
- Milwaukee Library Scrapbook
- Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1901
- Provisional List of Canadian Merchant Steamships
- Institute for Great Lakes Research
KEYWORDS: #
Aragon, Bayanna, steel-hulled, propeller, steamship, Great Lakes, shipwreck, Deseronto, Bay of Quinte, salvage, maritime history
ANALYSIS: #
The Aragon, later known as Bayanna, represents a resilient vessel that adapted to various roles over its long service life. Originally launched as a cargo steamship, the vessel’s conversion into a self-unloader for sand and gravel service reflects the evolution of maritime technology and industry demands. The vessel’s final years were marked by significant incidents, including strandings and a catastrophic fire that led to its scrapping in Deseronto, Ontario. Despite these challenges, the Aragon/Bayanna served the Great Lakes region for nearly seven decades, making it a noteworthy part of the area’s maritime history.
