Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Argus (formerly known as Lewis Woodruff)
- Type: Steam Screw Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1903
- Builder: American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 416 ft (127 m); Beam: 50 ft (15 m); Depth of hold: 28 ft (8.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 4,707 tons; Net Tonnage: 3,380 tons
- Location: Off Kincardine, Ontario
- Official Number: 200211
- Original Owners: Interlake Steamship Co., managed by Pickands, Mather & Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Argus, originally named Lewis Woodruff, was a robust steam screw bulk freighter specifically designed for the Great Lakes. Its steel hull and screw propulsion were ideal for carrying heavy freight, such as coal, iron ore, and other bulk materials. The vessel was a critical part of the Great Lakes shipping industry, providing reliable cargo transport between key industrial ports.
Description
The Argus was launched in 1903 and served as a workhorse for transporting bulk cargo. It was renamed in 1913 under the ownership of the Interlake Steamship Co., managed by Pickands, Mather & Co., one of the largest shipping enterprises on the Great Lakes at the time.
History
Early Service: The Lewis Woodruff was launched in 1903 and served as a workhorse for transporting bulk cargo.
Ownership Change: Renamed Argus in 1913 under the ownership of the Interlake Steamship Co., managed by Pickands, Mather & Co., one of the largest shipping enterprises on the Great Lakes at the time.
Significant Incidents
The Great Storm of 1913:
- The Argus was one of many vessels caught in the infamous “Great Storm of 1913,” a three-day hurricane-strength weather event that battered the Great Lakes.
- The storm produced winds of over 90 mph (145 km/h) and waves exceeding 35 feet (10 meters), leading to the loss of over 250 lives and 12 vessels, including the Argus.
Final Voyage:
- The Argus was upbound on Lake Huron with a cargo of coal when it encountered the storm.
- Despite the efforts of Captain Paul Gutch and his crew, the vessel succumbed to the extreme conditions and sank off the coast of Kincardine, Ontario.
- Tragically, all 24 crew members, including one woman, perished in the disaster.
Financial Loss: The vessel and its cargo were valued at $185,000, a significant sum at the time.
Final Disposition
The Argus foundered on November 9, 1913, becoming one of the many casualties of the Great Storm. The wreck was located in 1972, resting off Kincardine, Ontario, in Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The wreck is in a deteriorated but recognizable state. Cold, freshwater conditions in Lake Huron have likely preserved some of the steel components of the vessel.
Accessibility: The site is suitable for experienced divers equipped for deep-water exploration. Proper permits and safety precautions are recommended for exploration.
NOTMARs & Advisories: No specific active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck. Caution is advised for diving operations due to the potential hazards of deep water and wreck integrity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”argus-lewis-woodruff-us-200211″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Argus stands as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners. Its tragic loss during the Great Storm of 1913 highlights the ferocity of the inland seas and the sacrifices of those who navigated them. The discovery of the wreck in 1972 has preserved its legacy, allowing modern historians and divers to connect with this poignant chapter in maritime history.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: Argus (formerly known as Lewis Woodruff)
- Type: Steam Screw Bulk Freighter
- Built: 1903, American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio
- Official Number: 200211
- Hull Material: Steel
- Dimensions:
- Length: 416 feet (127 meters)
- Beam: 50 feet (15 meters)
- Depth: 28 feet (8.5 meters)
- Tonnage:
- Gross Tonnage: 4,707 tons
- Net Tonnage: 3,380 tons
- Final Location: Off Kincardine, Ontario, Lake Huron
- Discovery Date: Wreck site discovered in 1972
Vessel Type Description:
The Argus, originally named Lewis Woodruff, was a robust steam screw bulk freighter specifically designed for the Great Lakes. Its steel hull and screw propulsion were ideal for carrying heavy freight, such as coal, iron ore, and other bulk materials. The vessel was a critical part of the Great Lakes shipping industry, providing reliable cargo transport between key industrial ports.
History:
Early Service:
Launch & Early Years: The Lewis Woodruff was launched in 1903 and served as a workhorse for transporting bulk cargo.
Ownership Change: Renamed Argus in 1913 under the ownership of the Interlake Steamship Co., managed by Pickands, Mather & Co., one of the largest shipping enterprises on the Great Lakes at the time.
The Great Storm of 1913:
Event Overview:
- The Argus was one of many vessels caught in the infamous “Great Storm of 1913,” a three-day hurricane-strength weather event that battered the Great Lakes.
- The storm produced winds of over 90 mph (145 km/h) and waves exceeding 35 feet (10 meters), leading to the loss of over 250 lives and 12 vessels, including the Argus.
Final Voyage:
- The Argus was upbound on Lake Huron with a cargo of coal when it encountered the storm.
- Despite the efforts of Captain Paul Gutch and his crew, the vessel succumbed to the extreme conditions and sank off the coast of Kincardine, Ontario.
- Tragically, all 24 crew members, including one woman, perished in the disaster.
Financial Loss: The vessel and its cargo were valued at $185,000, a significant sum at the time.
Final Disposition:
The Argus foundered on November 9, 1913, becoming one of the many casualties of the Great Storm. The wreck was located in 1972, resting off Kincardine, Ontario, in Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility:
- Condition: The wreck is in a deteriorated but recognizable state. Cold, freshwater conditions in Lake Huron have likely preserved some of the steel components of the vessel.
- Accessibility: The site is suitable for experienced divers equipped for deep-water exploration. Proper permits and safety precautions are recommended for exploration.
NOTMARs & Advisories:
No specific active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck. Caution is advised for diving operations due to the potential hazards of deep water and wreck integrity.
Resources & Links:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive database for shipwrecks and maritime records.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival information on the Great Lakes shipwrecks.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Foundation: Exploration and documentation of historic wrecks.
- Books and Articles:
- The Great Storm of 1913 by Bruce Lynn
- Shipwrecks of Lake Huron by Cris Kohl
Conclusion:
The Argus stands as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners. Its tragic loss during the Great Storm of 1913 highlights the ferocity of the inland seas and the sacrifices of those who navigated them. The discovery of the wreck in 1972 has preserved its legacy, allowing modern historians and divers to connect with this poignant chapter in maritime history.
Keywords:
#Argus #LewisWoodruff #GreatStormOf1913 #LakeHuronShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #SteamScrewFreighter #PickandsMather #ShipwreckExploration
The steam screw ARGUS, formerly known as the LEWIS WOODRUFF, was a steel bulk freighter built in 1903 by the American Shipbuilding Co. in Lorain, Ohio. It had an official number of 200211 and measured approximately 416 feet in length, 50 feet in beam, and 28 feet in depth. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 4,707 tons and a net tonnage of 3,380 tons. argus-lewis-woodruff-us-200211 1913-11-09 07:48:00