IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Argo was initially constructed in 1911 as a steel-hulled covered lighter, a type of barge designed for transporting bulk cargo. Built for the Independent Pier Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the vessel was later modified to meet the increasing demands for the transportation and storage of fuel products. This conversion turned the Argo into a tank barge with a gross tonnage of 421 tons, specifically designed to carry hazardous materials such as fuel oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products. The barge was equipped to transport large quantities of flammable liquids, making it an essential asset for the fuel industry during the early 20th century.
HISTORY #
The Argo embarked on its final journey in October 1937, a voyage that would end in tragedy and environmental concern. At the time, the barge was owned by W.J. Townsend of Bayonne, New Jersey. Townsend operated a small fleet of tugs and barges in the New York Harbor area, with the Argo frequently working alongside the tugboat Syosset, which had been acquired by Townsend from the Long Island Railroad in 1935.
In September 1937, the Syosset and Argo embarked on a journey from Oswego Harbor, passing through the Erie Canal system and heading toward Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Here, the Argo was loaded with a hazardous cargo: approximately 101,000 gallons of benzol and 106,800 gallons of crude light oil, both by-products of coking operations at Algoma Steel. This cargo was destined for delivery through Lake Erie, a route that would prove perilous.
On October 12, 1937, the Syosset and Argo departed Sault Ste. Marie, but quickly encountered deteriorating weather conditions on Lake Erie. By October 17, the weather had worsened to the point where the vessels had to turn back to Amherstburg to seek shelter. After a brief respite, they resumed their journey on October 19, only to face even more severe conditions as they approached Pelee Island.
As the weather worsened, the Argo, heavily laden with fuel, struggled to stay afloat. Waves relentlessly battered the vessel, and by midnight on October 20, the captain of the Syosset noticed that the lights on the Argo had gone out—a clear sign of distress. Rushing to investigate, the crew of the Syosset discovered that the Argo was rapidly taking on water and sinking. They acted quickly to rescue the two crew members aboard the barge before it vanished beneath the waves.
Despite the efforts to locate the Argo immediately after the incident, the barge was not found, and it remained lost to the depths of Lake Erie for nearly eight decades.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Argo was officially declared lost after the incident, and for many years, its exact location remained a mystery. It wasn’t until August 28, 2015, that the wreck was discovered by Tom Kowalczk of Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE) during a historical shipwreck side scan sonar search in Lake Erie. The discovery of the Argo was significant not only because of its historical value but also due to the potential environmental hazards posed by the barge’s cargo.
Given that the Argo was carrying large quantities of hazardous materials, the wreck was identified as one of 87 shipwrecks considered a potential environmental threat by NOAA in a 2013 assessment. Upon its discovery, CLUE and the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) promptly informed the US Coast Guard (USCG) and NOAA, initiating a real-time assessment of the site to determine the risk of oil leakage and other environmental impacts.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
The wreck of the Argo is considered an environmental hazard due to the cargo it was carrying at the time of its sinking. The USCG and NOAA have taken steps to monitor and manage the site, and mariners in the area are advised to exercise caution. Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Argo may be issued as necessary, particularly if further environmental assessments indicate a risk of leakage.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Argo was discovered on August 28, 2015, by Tom Kowalczk of Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE) during a shipwreck search operation in Lake Erie. The discovery was later confirmed to be the Argo by CLUE and the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), with input from the USCG and NOAA.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- NOAA Oil Leakage in 2015: NOAA Report on Argo Oil Leakage
- Ohio Shipwrecks: Ohio Shipwrecks Database
- YouTube – Kevin McGee on the ARGO: Kevin McGee discusses the ARGO
- CLUE (Cleveland Underwater Explorers): CLUE Organization
- Sinking the Argo, Inland Seas, Winter 2015, Vol. 71, No 4
- Rain for Rent: Rain for Rent Salvage Operations
CONCLUSION #
The Argo represents a significant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, embodying both the technological advancements of early 20th-century shipping and the ever-present risks of transporting hazardous materials across open waters. Its sinking in 1937, coupled with its rediscovery in 2015, highlights the ongoing challenges of maritime navigation and environmental protection. The story of the Argo continues to serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between human enterprise and the power of nature, as well as the importance of ongoing vigilance in preserving our maritime heritage and protecting our natural resources.
KEYWORDS #
#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #TankerBarge #Argo #EnvironmentalHazard #NOAA #USCG #ClevelandUnderwaterExplorers #HistoricalShipwrecks #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeErieWrecks
