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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ark-c-72957″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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
- Vessel Name: ARK
- Vessel Type: Scow-Schooner
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: A. Muir, Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- •Dimensions:
- •Length: 177 feet (54 meters)
- •Beam: 36 feet (11 meters)
- •Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)
- •Tonnage: 512 tons
- •Final Resting Place: Near Grindstone City, Michigan, and Port Colborne, Ontario, Lake Huron
- •Depth of Wreck: Varies depending on location post-storm
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
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.
HISTORY
Constructed in 1875 by A. Muir in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, the ARK was a significant vessel for its time, primarily engaged in transporting bulk cargo. The scow-schooner was owned by A. Muir & Bros., a prominent shipping company operating on the Great Lakes.
First Grounding
On October 3, 1887, the ARK was under tow by the steamer Albion near Grindstone City, Michigan, in Lake Huron. A severe storm forced the ARK aground near Pointe Aux Barques. Although initially freed with limited damage, the incident marked the beginning of a string of misfortunes.
Final Loss
Just weeks later, on October 24, 1887, the ARK met its final fate near Port Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Huron. Towed by the steambarge Enterprise, the ARK was caught in a violent gale. The worsening storm caused the Enterprise to lose its smokestack, rendering it unable to manage the tow. The crew was forced to sever the towline, leaving the ARK to drift uncontrollably. Despite deploying its anchor, the ARK could not withstand the storm’s force 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, despite the repeated disasters, the crew of the ARK escaped unharmed in both incidents. However, the vessel’s cargo and structure were irretrievably lost.
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.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
•Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are linked to the ARK’s wreck sites. Divers or search teams should coordinate with local maritime organizations and authorities for safety.
LOCATED BY & DATE
Discovery: 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
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
KEYWORDS ARK Scow-Schooner Lake Huron Port Colborne Grindstone City Great Lakes Shipwrecks 19th Century Maritime History
CONCLUSION
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, like that of many vessels of its time, underscores the relentless challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. The ARK’s story is a testament to the resilience of those who braved these waters and a poignant chapter in the region’s rich maritime history.
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 ark-c-72957 1887-10-24 07:53:00