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 Historical references note that the wreck outline was once visible in harbor mud near Port Rowan.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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Description
The Argyle was a wooden-hulled, side-wheel paddle steamer constructed reportedly in 1864 in Hamilton, Ontario. Measuring approximately 94 feet in length, the vessel operated in the confined waters of Lake Erie and the Ontario shoreline. As a side-wheel steamer, it featured external paddle wheels powered by steam engines suitable for passenger and light cargo service in shallow channels.History
Available records on the Argyle are limited. It appears in maritime records as a Canadian steamer 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 used in local transport and passenger ferrying operations.Final Dispositions
The vessel is recorded as lost due to a storm near Port Rowan in the western part of Lake Erie. Other accounts suggest a collision with a dock structure may have contributed to the loss, though this narrative lacks definitive documentation. No salvage or official accident report has been recovered in archival sources to date.Located By & Date Found
The wreck location is not confirmed by modern surveys. No diver discovery, sonar mapping, or archaeological documentation has yet been published or identified.Notmars & Advisories
No official hazard notices or Canadian Notice to Mariners entries are currently associated with the Argyle. The wreck site is uncharted.Dive Information
Access: [Unknown] Entry Point: [Unknown] Conditions: [Not documented] Depth Range: [Unknown] Emergency Contacts: Canadian Coast Guard – Central Region Permits: No permit required unless in protected waters Dive Support: [Unknown]Crew & Casualty Memorials
No fatalities are reported. Individual crew identities have not been recovered from local archives or press of the period.Documented Statements & Extracts
“Wooden side-wheel steamer of 94 ft wrecked in a storm 8/?/1877 near Port Rowan, Ontario.” — Alchem Inc. Shipwreck Compilation
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No Canadian registry number or enrollment information has been retrieved. Ownership and insurance documentation remain unidentified in digital or regional archives.Site Documentation & Imaging
No underwater imagery, sonar, or site documentation is presently associated with the Argyle. Historical references note that the wreck outline was once visible in harbour mud near Port Rowan.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Soundings, Vol 1 No 2
- Alchem Inc. Shipwreck List
- Digital Library of Wisconsin – Argyle Photograph
References
- Alchem Inc., “Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes” database, entry for Argyle (2024)
- Marsh Historical Soundings, Volume 1 No 2 (2023)