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

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.