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Month: November 2013

The Great Storm of 1913

The Great Storm of 1913

The Charles S Price capsized in Lake Huron.  Known as the Mystery Ship until it could be identified.
The Charles S Price capsized in Lake Huron. Known as the Mystery Ship until it could be identified.
Waves crash along the Chicago shoreline during the storm.
Waves crash along the Chicago shoreline during the storm.
Cleveland had 22 inches of snow dumped during the storm.
Cleveland had 22 inches of snow dumped during the storm.
Life Saving Station at Point Aux Barques on Lake Huron was completely destroyed in the storm.
Life Saving Station at Point Aux Barques on Lake Huron was completely destroyed in the storm.
The crew of the Wexford were able to don life jackets, but perished before reaching shore on Lake Huron.
The crew of the Wexford were able to don life jackets, but perished before reaching shore on Lake Huron.

One hundred years ago, one of the ferocious storms struck the Great Lakes.  Before radar or weather forecasts, vessel went out onto the lakes where two storms merged into a tempest.  Between November 7th and 10th, 30 vessels stranded and 12 vessels were lost with all hands and over 250 total people lost their lives.

Vessels foundered during the storm:

  • Argus – Lake Huron with 28 lives lost.
  • Charles S. Price – Lake Huron 28 lives lost.
  • Henry B. Smith – Lake Superior with 25 lives lost.
  • Hydrus – Lake Huron with 25 lives lost.
  • Isaac M. Scott – Lake Huron with 28 lives lost.
  • James Carruthers – Lake Huron with 22 lives lost.
  • John A. McGean – Lake Huron with 28 lives lost.
  • Leafield – Lake Superior with 18 lives lost.
  • Lightship LV 82 – Lake Erie with 6 lives lost.
  • Plymouth – Lake Michigan with 7 lives lost.
  • Regina – Lake Huron with 20 lives lost.
  • Wexford – Lake Huron with 20 lives lost.

 

 

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CSL Niagara

CSL Niagara

CSL_NIAGARA

 

The 226 meter long, 34938 dwt self-unloading bulk freighter CSL Niagara went aground on Lake Erie near Sandusky, Ohio.  The CSL Niagara had completed loading of 30,000 tons of coal when it grounded in the Moseley Channel.   No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.  The CSL Niagara was later released the next day with the assistance of three tugs and favorable conditions.   The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

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Britannia Seaways

Britannia Seaways

Photo: bt.no
Photo: bt.no

The 198 meter long, 11089 dwt ro-ro freighter Britannia Seaways caught fire while in the North Sea near Florø, Norway.  The Britannia Seaways was en route to Bergen in severe weather with high wind gusts and waves reaching 15 meters.  During the storm, a fire broke out in a container near the rear of the vessel.   The crew initially requested assistance with three helicopters dispatched to the scene. Attempts to lift the crew from the Britannia Seaways were aborted due to the bad weather.  The crew eventually was able to extinguish the blaze and the Britannia Seaways continued under its own power toward Bergen.  A Norwegian Navy vessel escorted the freighter to Bergen.  No reports of injuries to the 20 crew and 12 military personnel on board.  Reports state the Britannia Seaways had a cargo of military equipment including armored vehicles.

 

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