Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Argyle
- Type: Wooden side-wheel steamer
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Reportedly A.M. Robertson, Hamilton, Ontario (unverified)
- Dimensions: Length: 94 ft (28.7 m); Beam/Depth: unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Reported Gross: 121 tons; Net: 82 tons (unverified)
- Location: Near Port Rowan, Ontario
- Coordinates: [Not located]
- Official Number: [Not documented]
- Original Owners: Reported W. Ellis (Dundas, Ontario); later Graham & Co. (St. Catharines) [unconfirmed]
- Number of Masts: [Unknown]
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Argyle was a wooden-hulled, side-wheel paddle steamer constructed reportedly in 1864 in Hamilton, Ontario. It was designed for passenger and light cargo service in shallow channels, featuring external paddle wheels powered by steam engines.
Description
The Argyle measured approximately 94 feet in length and operated primarily in the confined waters of Lake Erie and along the Ontario shoreline. The vessel’s construction and operational capabilities made it suitable for navigating shallow waters.
History
Records regarding the Argyle are limited. It is noted in maritime records as a Canadian steamer that was wrecked near Port Rowan in August 1877. Ownership attribution to W. Ellis and Graham & Co. remains unverified in primary archives. The vessel may have been involved in local transport and passenger ferrying operations.
Significant Incidents
- The Argyle is recorded as lost due to a storm near Port Rowan in Lake Erie.
- Some accounts suggest a collision with a dock structure may have contributed to the loss, though this narrative lacks definitive documentation.
Final Disposition
No salvage or official accident report has been recovered in archival sources to date. The wreck location is not confirmed by modern surveys, and no diver discovery, sonar mapping, or archaeological documentation has yet been published or identified.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No underwater imagery, sonar, or site documentation is presently associated with the Argyle. Historical references note that the wreck outline was once visible in harbor mud near Port Rowan.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”argyle-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The Argyle remains a subject of interest for maritime historians and divers alike, with its exact location and condition still shrouded in mystery.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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