ARABIA C32844

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

• The ARABIA was a wooden barkentine built in 1852 by George Thurston in Kingston, Ontario. The vessel, measuring 132 feet in length with a 26-foot beam and a 12-foot depth, was designed for trade across the Great Lakes and beyond. With its three masts, the ARABIA was primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, including grain and timber, to various ports in the Great Lakes region and occasionally to England.

  HISTORY #

  The ARABIA had a storied history filled with voyages and incidents typical of 19th-century Great Lakes vessels. After its construction in 1852, it was initially owned by William Nickle & Co. in Montreal, Quebec. The vessel was involved in a fire in Oswego, New York, in 1853 and ran ashore in Sodus in 1854, but was successfully refloated. Over the years, ownership changed several times, with the vessel being used in various trades, including the transportation of grain and timber.

  The ARABIA’s final voyage took place in early October 1884, when it departed from Chicago with 20,000 bushels of corn, bound for Midland, Ontario. On October 4, 1884, the ARABIA encountered a fierce gale near Tobermory. Despite the crew’s best efforts to save the ship, it ultimately foundered and sank near Echo Island. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by a passing tugboat and brought to safety in Wiarton, Ontario. The wreck was discovered nearly 90 years later, in 1971, by Captain Albert Smith.

  FINAL DISPOSITION #

  The ARABIA sank on October 4, 1884, after encountering a severe gale while carrying a cargo of corn. The vessel foundered and came to rest in Georgian Bay, where it remained lost until its discovery in 1971. The wreck is now a popular diving site due to its well-preserved condition and historical significance.

  LOCATED BY & DATE #

  The wreck of the ARABIA was located by Captain Albert Smith in the fall of 1971. It lies within the boundaries of the Fathom Five Provincial Park, which has since protected the site.

  NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

  • Hazards: The wreck is well-preserved and lies upright on the lakebed. Divers should be aware of the cold water temperatures, which typically hover around 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius), and the depths, which require advanced diving skills.
  • Mooring: The ARABIA is accessible via a permanent mooring line attached to a 500 lb. concrete block, which leads divers directly to the wreck. Two mooring blocks provide different entry points to the site, allowing divers to start their exploration from the bow or the stern.

  RESOURCES & LINKS #

  • Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Vlada Dekina: Arabia Wreck Details
  • Warren Lo Photography: Warren Lo Photography – Arabia
  • Jeremy Bannister – YouTube: Arabia Wreck Dive

  CONCLUSION #

  Diving the ARABIA is a journey into the past, offering a glimpse of a 19th-century sailing vessel remarkably preserved on the lakebed. The wreck is a significant historical site, commemorated by divers who have explored its remains. The cold, clear waters of Georgian Bay add to the haunting beauty of the wreck, making it a must-visit site for experienced divers.

  KEYWORDS #

  Arabia, Barque, Shipwreck, Georgian Bay, Tobermory, Great Lakes Diving, Fathom Five Provincial Park, Lake Huron, Maritime History, Diving Site