Identification & Site Information

  • Name: ARCTURUS
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Number: 568
  • Type at Loss: Wooden Barge (originally built as a Schooner)
  • Date Built and Launched: 1853
  • Builder: B. Jones, & F.D. Ketchum
  • Measurements: 140 ft (42.7 m) length, 28 ft (8.5 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; 300 gross tons, 291 net tons
  • Date Lost: August 19, 1888
  • Place of Loss: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

Vessel Type

Wooden Barge (originally a Schooner)

Description

The ARCTURUS was constructed in 1853 as a wooden Schooner in Huron, Ohio, by B. Jones (though some records attribute the build to F.D. Ketchum). Over time, she was converted into a Barge, a common practice for aging schooners that were no longer competitive as independent sailing vessels but still valuable as towed cargo carriers. Measuring 140 feet in length and capable of carrying bulk materials such as coal, the ARCTURUS played an important role in the Great Lakes freight network during the latter half of the 19th century.

History

The ARCTURUS had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, marked by multiple incidents and repairs:

  • In 1853, shortly after her launch, the vessel encountered a spring gale in Lake Michigan, during which the crew reportedly rolled a locomotive overboard to prevent the ship from capsizing—a dramatic testament to the challenges of early Great Lakes shipping.
  • In April 1868, the ARCTURUS sank off Long Point, Lake Erie, after a collision but was recovered in August of the same year, allowing her to return to service.
  • During the infamous “Alpena Storm” of October 1880, one of the most destructive storms in Great Lakes history, the vessel sustained significant damage and underwent major repairs in 1881 to restore her seaworthiness.

By 1888, the ARCTURUS was operating as a Barge, primarily transporting coal. On August 19, 1888, while in tow of the Tug BRADY in Saginaw Bay, the vessel sprang a leak and Foundered. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. The Barge was owned by A.A. Pinet of East Saginaw and captained by John Price at the time of her sinking.

Final Disposition

Foundered in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, on August 19, 1888, after springing a leak while in tow of the Tug BRADY. The vessel was a Total Loss, though no lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the ARCTURUS wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARCTURUS wreck site in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The ARCTURUS‘s long career on the Great Lakes illustrates both the adaptability of 19th-century vessels and the constant dangers faced by mariners. Originally launched as a Schooner in 1853, she transitioned to a Barge as newer technologies and changing economic conditions rendered older sailing vessels less competitive. Despite numerous incidents—including rolling a locomotive overboard during a gale, sinking off Long Point in 1868, and surviving the Alpena Storm in 1880—the ARCTURUS continued to serve until her final loss in 1888 in Saginaw Bay. While her wreck has not been located, her story remains a vivid example of the challenges faced by those who worked the Great Lakes during this era of rapid industrial growth and maritime innovation.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: ARCTURUS Barge shipwreck, Saginaw Bay shipwreck, Lake Huron Barge loss, B. Jones shipbuilder Huron Ohio, Tug BRADY tow, Alpena Storm shipwrecks
  • Categories: Lake Huron Shipwrecks, Wooden Barges, Coal Freighter Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Tow Incidents
  • Glossary Terms:
    • Foundered: A maritime term indicating that a vessel took on water and sank, often due to structural failure or severe weather conditions.
    • Saginaw Bay: A large bay on Lake Huron known for its busy shipping routes and history of shipwrecks.
    • Alpena Storm: A powerful storm that struck the Great Lakes in October 1880, causing widespread damage and the loss of numerous vessels.