Shipwreck Report: Steam Screw STARUCCA

Identification & Site Information

• Name: STARUCCA

• Type: Package Freight Propeller (Steam Screw)

• Year Built: 1875

• Builder: Buffalo, New York

• Gross Tonnage: 1,313.09 tons

• Net Tonnage: 1,155.20 tons

• Dimensions:

• Length: 218.0 feet (66.4 meters)

• Beam: 34.0 feet (10.4 meters)

• Depth: 13.0 feet (4.0 meters)

• Engine Power: 1,800 nominal horsepower

• Incident Date: November 15, 1888

• Location: About 10 miles east of Grand Marais, Michigan, Lake Superior

• Final Condition: Total Loss

Vessel Type Description

The STARUCCA was a package freight propeller, a type of vessel specifically designed for carrying both bulk and packaged cargoes across the Great Lakes. With its robust steam propulsion system and substantial horsepower, the STARUCCA was equipped for the rigorous demands of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, efficiently connecting ports and facilitating commerce.

History of the Incident

On November 15, 1888, the STARUCCA stranded approximately 10 miles east of Grand Marais, Michigan, in Lake Superior. Details of the circumstances leading to the stranding remain unclear, as contemporary reports, including those from the Port Huron Daily Timeson November 23, 1888, did not provide specific causes or contributing factors.

The incident resulted in the Total Loss of the vessel. Given the notoriously harsh and unpredictable weather conditions on Lake Superior in November, it is possible that adverse weather or navigational challenges contributed to the tragedy. The STARUCCA’s stranding added to the long list of vessels lost in this perilous region of the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the STARUCCA remains unconfirmed as being located or identified, with no known salvage operations reported following its loss. The ship’s final resting place is presumed to be near the shoreline where it stranded, possibly within the treacherous waters east of Grand Marais, Michigan.

Historical Context

Lake Superior, particularly in the late fall, was a dangerous environment for vessels like the STARUCCA, with storms, ice, and strong winds posing significant risks. The loss of the STARUCCA highlights the challenges faced by maritime operators of the time, even with the advanced technology and capabilities of steam-powered vessels.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive archival material on 19th-century shipwrecks.

maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

• David Swayze Shipwreck Database: Detailed shipwreck records, including the STARUCCA.

shipwrecks.com

• Port Huron Daily Times Archives: Newspaper articles from the period.

Historic Newspapers

• NOAA Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary: Insights into Great Lakes shipwreck preservation.

thunderbay.noaa.gov

Legacy

The loss of the STARUCCA serves as a reminder of the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation, particularly in the harsh weather conditions of late fall. While details of the wreck remain scarce, the vessel’s story contributes to the broader narrative of maritime challenges and losses on Lake Superior during the 19th century.

Keywords

#StaruccaShipwreck #LakeSuperiorShipwrecks #GrandMaraisMI #GreatLakesHistory #19thCenturySteamships #MaritimeTragedies