Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bayanna
- Type: Propeller-driven steamship
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan, USA
- Dimensions: Length 247.58 ft (75.5 m); Beam 42.50 ft (12.95 m); Depth of hold 14.66 ft (4.47 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1450.00 tons; Net Tonnage: 1072.00 tons
- Location: Deseronto, Ontario
- Official Number: US Official Number: 107228; Canadian Official Number: 150811
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Aragon, later renamed Bayanna, was a steel-hulled propeller-driven steamship initially designed for general cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Following its initial construction, the vessel underwent multiple rebuilds to adapt to different roles. Its transformation into a self-unloader for sand and gravel service highlights its versatility and long-lasting utility.
Description
The Bayanna was a notable example of maritime engineering, originally launched as a cargo steamship and later converted into a self-unloader. This adaptability allowed it to serve various roles throughout its operational life, showcasing the evolving demands of the Great Lakes shipping industry.
History
Key Events:
- Launch Date: May 23, 1896, at Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- 1922: Reconstructed to Canadian measures for sand and gravel service.
- 1927: Converted into a self-unloader with increased gross tonnage (1643 tons).
- 1960: Pilothouse from the scrapped Canadian steamer Collier installed.
- October 1898: Stranded near Cascade Rapids. The hull was damaged but the vessel was released.
- November 17, 1921: Grounded on Salmon Point, Lake Ontario, requiring underwriter intervention for salvage.
- December 1, 1962: Stranded in the Bay of Quinte near Belleville, Ontario.
- December 10, 1963: Refloated and taken to Deseronto, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
Final Incident: In May 1964, the vessel, then named Bayanna, caught fire in the Bay of Quinte near Deseronto, Ontario. The fire gutted the ship, rendering it unsalvageable. It was dismantled for scrap in shallow waters, marking the end of its operational life.
Final Disposition
The Bayanna was destroyed by fire and subsequently dismantled in shallow waters at Deseronto, Ontario, in 1964. The vessel had served the Great Lakes region for nearly 70 years, transitioning through various roles and ownerships before its final demise.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Bayanna was scrapped in shallow water. No substantial remains are believed to exist, making the site inaccessible for exploration or diving.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bayanna-c-150811-aragon-us-107228″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The legacy of the Bayanna is preserved through historical records, offering insights into the region’s rich maritime heritage. As divers and enthusiasts, we encourage you to respect these sites and leave only bubbles, taking only memories.
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
- Name: Aragon (later known as Bayanna)
- Other Names: Aragon, Bayanna
- Registry: Initially United States, later Canada
- Original U.S. Official Number: 107228
- Canadian Official Number: 150811
- Rig: Propeller-driven steamship
- Hull Number: 00123
- Built: 1896, Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan, USA
- Hull Material: Steel
- Dimensions:
- Length: 247.58 feet (75.5 meters)
- Beam: 42.50 feet (12.95 meters)
- Depth: 14.66 feet (4.47 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 1450.00 tons
- Net Tonnage: 1072.00 tons
Vessel Type Description
The Aragon, later renamed Bayanna, was a steel-hulled propeller-driven steamship initially designed for general cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Following its initial construction, the vessel underwent multiple rebuilds to adapt to different roles. Its transformation into a self-unloader for sand and gravel service highlights its versatility and long-lasting utility.
History
Key Events:
- Launch Date: May 23, 1896, at Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- 1922: Reconstructed to Canadian measures for sand and gravel service.
- 1927: Converted into a self-unloader with increased gross tonnage (1643 tons).
- 1960: Pilothouse from the scrapped Canadian steamer Collier installed.
- October 1898: Stranded near Cascade Rapids. The hull was damaged but the vessel was released.
- November 17, 1921: Grounded on Salmon Point, Lake Ontario, requiring underwriter intervention for salvage.
- December 1, 1962: Stranded in the Bay of Quinte near Belleville, Ontario.
- December 10, 1963: Refloated and taken to Deseronto, Ontario.
Final Incident:
In May 1964, the vessel, then named Bayanna, caught fire in the Bay of Quinte near Deseronto, Ontario. The fire gutted the ship, rendering it unsalvageable. It was dismantled for scrap in shallow waters, marking the end of its operational life.
Final Disposition
The Bayanna was destroyed by fire and subsequently dismantled in shallow waters at Deseronto, Ontario, in 1964. The vessel had served the Great Lakes region for nearly 70 years, transitioning through various roles and ownerships before its final demise.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to the vessel, as it was scrapped following its destruction.
Located By & Date
The vessel was located and dismantled in Deseronto, Ontario, in 1964.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Bayanna was scrapped in shallow water. No substantial remains are believed to exist, making the site inaccessible for exploration or diving.
Resources & Links
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
- Milwaukee Library Scrapbook
- Merchant Vessel List, U.S., 1901
- Provisional List of Canadian Merchant Steamships
- Institute for Great Lakes Research
Keywords
Aragon, Bayanna, steel-hulled, propeller, steamship, Great Lakes, shipwreck, Deseronto, Bay of Quinte, salvage, maritime history, self-unloader.
Analysis
The Aragon, later known as Bayanna, is a notable example of a vessel adapting to meet evolving demands over its lengthy service life. Originally launched as a cargo steamship, it transitioned into a specialized self-unloader, demonstrating the flexibility of maritime engineering and industry needs. Despite its resilience and utility, the vessel’s history was marred by multiple strandings and ultimately concluded with a catastrophic fire. The loss of the Bayanna underscores the challenges and hazards faced by Great Lakes shipping during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its legacy is preserved through historical records, offering insights into the region’s rich maritime heritage.
aragon-1896-bulk-freighter-scrapped-in-place 1964-05-14 07:49:00