ARIZONA US1768

The ARIZONA, a propeller steamship, was built in 1868 in Cleveland, Ohio. Constructed by Quayle & Martin and master carpenter Thomas Quayle, it was made of wood and had two decks. The original owners of the vessel were John Spry, F. B. Gardner, and W. W. Gardner from Chicago, Illinois. The ARIZONA was primarily used as a passenger and freight steamer.

Powered by a single screw and equipped with a for-and-aft compound engine, the ARIZONA had two cylinders, making it the first compound engine built on the Great Lakes. With a length of 187.5 feet, a beam of 32.4 feet, and a depth of 12 feet, it had a gross tonnage of 870.74.

Throughout its history, the ARIZONA underwent various changes in ownership and alterations. In 1872, it was purchased by the Erie & Western Transportation Co. for $75,000 to operate the Anchor Line between Chicago, Illinois, and Buffalo, New York. In 1888, the vessel was rebuilt as a steam barge by Dunford & Alverson, with steel arches and a steel boiler house. It was also renamed the CITY OF MARQUETTE, although newspapers erroneously reported this name change.

The ARIZONA had its share of accidents and incidents. In 1873, it collided with the B. W. BLANCHARD above St. Clair Flats and sank with a cargo of flour and wheat. It was later raised and repaired in Detroit. In 1882, an explosion occurred involving a barrel of carbolic acid in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1887, the vessel burned and sank in Marquette, Michigan, while carrying oil and acid, but it was salvaged by Reid.

The ownership of the ARIZONA changed hands multiple times over the years, with various companies and individuals acquiring the vessel. In 1922, tragedy struck as the ship was destroyed by fire near the Cape Vincent breakwater in Lake Ontario. This marked the end of the ARIZONA’s long history as the oldest freighter on the Great Lakes.

The story of the ARIZONA reflects the changing landscape of maritime transportation and trade on the Great Lakes. It experienced different roles, from a passenger and freight steamer to a steam barge, and witnessed significant events such as collisions, sinkings, and even a name change. The final destruction of the Arizona by fire marked the end of an era for this historic vessel.Throughout its existence, the ARIZONA underwent various changes and repairs. In 1888, it was rebuilt as a steam barge by Dunford & Alverson, and despite some newspaper reports of a name change to the CITY OF MARQUETTE, it retained its original name. In 1893, the vessel underwent further modifications, including re-engining with a steeple compound engine by Marine Iron Works. This led to adjustments in the vessel’s tonnage to 765.03 gross tons and 601.06 net tons.

The history of the steamer ARIZONA is a compelling narrative of a vessel that faced numerous challenges and transformations over the years. From extensive repairs to tragic fires and collisions, the ARIZONA’s journey is a reflection of the trials and tribulations experienced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. Despite its eventual demise, the legacy of the ARIZONA lives on as a testament to the indomitable spirit of maritime exploration and adaptation.

Sources and External Links #