Ark C 72957

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: ARK
• Type: Scow-Schooner
• Year Built: 1875
• Builder: A. Muir, Port Dalhousie, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length: 177 ft (54 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth: 10 ft (3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 512 tons
• Location: Near Grindstone City, Michigan, and Port Colborne, Ontario
• Official Number: C 72957
• Original Owners: A. Muir & Bros.
• Number of Masts: Three-mast rig

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The ARK was a scow-schooner, a type of wooden vessel built for hauling bulk cargo. These ships were notable for their wide, flat-bottom hulls, which provided stability for heavy loads and allowed them to navigate shallow waters. The ARK featured a three-mast rig and was reinforced with iron strapping for durability. Built to endure the rigors of Great Lakes shipping, the vessel was robust but ultimately fell victim to severe weather conditions common to the region.

Description

The ARK was constructed in 1875 by A. Muir in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, and was primarily engaged in transporting bulk cargo. Owned by A. Muir & Bros., a prominent shipping company operating on the Great Lakes, the ARK was a significant vessel for its time.

History

On October 3, 1887, while under tow by the steamer Albion, the ARK ran aground near Pointe Aux Barques due to a severe storm. Although initially freed with limited damage, this incident marked the beginning of a series of misfortunes for the vessel.

On October 24, 1887, the ARK met its final fate near Port Colborne, Ontario. Towed by the steambarge Enterprise, the ARK was caught in a violent gale. The storm caused the Enterprise to lose its smokestack, making it unable to manage the tow. The crew had to sever the towline, leaving the ARK to drift uncontrollably. Despite deploying its anchor, the ARK could not withstand the storm and went ashore east of the Port Colborne piers. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and it was declared a total loss by November 24, 1887.

Remarkably, the crew escaped unharmed in both incidents, but the vessel’s cargo and structure were irretrievably lost.

Significant Incidents

• First grounding on October 3, 1887, near Pointe Aux Barques due to a storm.
• Final loss on October 24, 1887, near Port Colborne during a gale.

Final Disposition

The ARK was stranded near Port Colborne after the October storm, its wreck heavily damaged and ultimately unsalvageable. The vessel was abandoned on the beach, where it succumbed to the elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck’s locations have not been extensively explored or precisely mapped. Historical records indicate the ARK’s final resting sites, but no detailed underwater surveys have been conducted.

Resources & Links

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The story of the ARK highlights the hazards of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th century. Built for durability, the vessel’s fate was sealed by two powerful storms in quick succession. Despite surviving its first grounding, the ARK was overwhelmed during its second encounter with Lake Huron’s notorious gales. Its loss underscores the relentless challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes and serves as a poignant chapter in the region’s rich maritime history.