Tobermory Shipwrecks
| Arabia |
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| Photo by David Gilchrist © 2000 | |
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Click on the following link to see more pictures: Arabia Photo Gallery |
| Name: | Arabia - barque |
| Built: | 1853 |
| Length: | 131 feet |
| Sunk: | 1884 - took on water and sank in heavy seas |
| Depth: | 105 feet |
| Rating: | Advanced |
| Description: |
The Arabia has a definite and long standing connection to Tobermory. In 1854,
she sailed to Glasgow, Scotland with a cargo of wheat and flour. She remained
in the coastal trade on the northwest cost of Great Britain for a year or so.
During that time, Tobermory, Scotland (on the isle of Mull) was one of her
ports of call. After returning to Canada, she ran aground near Flowerpot
Island in 1883. She was refloated, repaired and continued her service. The
following year, she met her ultimate fate near Echo Island as she floundered
and sank. Currently, the hull is intact with the exception of the back 100' of the deck and the transom which have collapsed. The bow is very impressive with the jib-boom still in place (the jib-boom is often mistakenly called the bow-sprit). The windlass, bilge pump and 3 anchors are still in place on the bow. Deadeyes, pulleys and pinrails are still present on the sides. The masts have fallen but lay across the deck. The afterdeck has broken away and lies to the port of the stern. The steering gear and ships wheel lay on the starboard of the afterdeck. A commemorative plaque has been placed next to the ships wheel. This is the best and most interesting wreck in Tobermory. It should be dived by experienced divers only. However, it is well worth a few years of diving effort to gain the necessary experience to dive this wreck. |
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