Artic (1851)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: ARCTIC
• Type: Sidewheel steamer, wood-hulled
• Year Built: 1851
• Builder: J. Wolverton, Newport (now Marine City), Michigan
• Dimensions: 237 ft (72.2 m); Beam 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold 13 ft (4 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 861 tons (old measurement)
• Location: East side of Lighthouse Island, Lake Superior
• Official Number: None (pre-registration era)
• Original Owners: Clement Steam Boat Co., Milwaukee

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Sidewheel Steamer

Description

The ARCTIC was a wooden sidewheel steamer built in 1851 by J. Wolverton in Newport (now Marine City), Michigan. Measuring 237 feet in length, she was one of the larger steamers operating on the Great Lakes at the time. Sidewheel steamers were a popular mode of passenger and freight transport in the mid-19th century, offering faster travel times compared to traditional sailing vessels. The ARCTIC was owned by the Clement Steam Boat Co. of Milwaukee and served both commercial and passenger routes across the lakes.

History

Under the command of Captain Miller, the ARCTIC operated as a passenger and merchant steamer, transporting people and goods across the Great Lakes, particularly on Lake Superior. She played a crucial role in connecting remote communities and facilitating trade in an era before railroads dominated inland transportation.

On May 28, 1860, while navigating in heavy fog near Lighthouse Island on Lake Superior, the ARCTIC ran aground on Huron Shoals. The initial grounding did not immediately destroy the vessel, and all passengers and crew were able to safely evacuate in small boats to the nearby shore.

However, shortly after the grounding, a storm arose, pummeling the stranded steamer with powerful waves and wind. The ARCTIC was pounded to pieces, breaking apart on the shoals under the relentless force of the storm. Fortunately, all aboard had already reached safety, and no lives were lost in the incident.

The survivors were later rescued by the steamer FOUNTAIN CITY, which arrived at the scene after the storm had subsided.

Significant Incidents

• Ran aground on Huron Shoals due to fog on May 28, 1860.
• Destroyed by a storm shortly after grounding.
• All passengers and crew evacuated safely before the storm.
• Survivors rescued by the steamer FOUNTAIN CITY.

Final Disposition

Ran aground on Huron Shoals near Lighthouse Island due to fog on May 28, 1860. The vessel was later destroyed by a storm. The wreck is now mostly dispersed, with much of it salvaged or carried away by wreck divers over the years.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is dispersed and has been subject to salvage and wreck diving. No significant remains of the vessel are known to exist in their original form.

Resources & Links

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The loss of the ARCTIC in 1860 is a testament to the treacherous conditions faced by early steamers on the Great Lakes, particularly on Lake Superior, known for its sudden storms and unpredictable weather. While the vessel successfully evacuated all passengers and crew before the storm could claim lives, the destruction of the ARCTIC marked a significant loss for the Clement Steam Boat Co. and the growing network of maritime commerce in the region. The ARCTIC‘s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early mariners, and though the wreck has largely been dispersed or salvaged, her legacy endures in the history of Great Lakes navigation.