The Tragic Fate of SS Cyprus: A Mysterious Lake Superior Shipwreck

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name:

SS Cyprus

Type:

Steel Lake Freighter

Year Built:

1907, Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Company

Dimensions:

•Length: 420 feet (128 meters)

•Beam: 54 feet (16.5 meters)

•Depth: 28 feet (8.5 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 7,418 tons

Final Voyage:

•Cargo: Iron Ore

•Route: Superior, Wisconsin, to Buffalo, New York

•Date of Incident: October 11, 1907

•Location: Off Deer Park, Michigan, Lake Superior

•Coordinates: Approx. 46° 36’ N, 86° 41’ W

•Depth at Wreck Site: 460 feet (140 meters)

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The SS Cyprus was a modern steel lake freighter designed to transport bulk cargo, primarily iron ore, across the Great Lakes. Built in Lorain, Ohio, by the American Ship Building Company, the vessel was equipped with advanced Mulholland sliding hatch covers and a robust structure suited for the demanding conditions of Lake Superior. Despite her promising design and specifications, her career was tragically short, with her second voyage becoming her last.

HISTORY

Launch and Maiden Voyage

The Cyprus was launched in August 1907, just months before her fateful voyage. On her maiden trip, she successfully transported iron ore, demonstrating her capability to handle the Great Lakes’ challenging routes. Her second voyage, however, ended in catastrophe.

The Sinking

On October 11, 1907, while carrying iron ore from Superior, Wisconsin, to Buffalo, New York, the Cyprus encountered a moderate gale off Deer Park, Michigan. Initially, the experienced crew of 23 believed the vessel could withstand the conditions, but by evening, the ship began listing to port.

By 7:45 p.m., the Cyprus capsized suddenly, throwing the crew into the frigid waters of Lake Superior. Despite frantic attempts to survive, only Second Mate Charles G. Pitz lived to tell the harrowing tale. Pitz clung to a raft and eventually washed ashore near the Deer Park Life-Saving Station, making him the sole survivor.

Theories Behind the Tragedy

The cause of the Cyprus’s sudden capsizing remains debated:

•Cargo-Related Issues: The iron ore may have shifted or mixed with water, creating instability.

•Hatch Cover Vulnerability: The sliding Mulholland hatch covers, if improperly secured, could allow water ingress.

•Structural Flaws: Labor unrest during construction in Lorain may have led to undetected weaknesses in her Hull.

•Mechanical Failures: Engine or rudder malfunctions may have left her at the mercy of the storm.

The loss was not only tragic in human terms but also financially devastating, estimated at $280,000.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Discovery of the Wreck

For nearly a century, the Cyprus remained lost to the depths of Lake Superior. In August 2007, members of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society discovered the wreck during a search for the SS D.M. Clemson.

•Condition: The wreck lies on its port side at a depth of 460 feet. Remarkably well-preserved, the ship’s Hull remains intact, with scattered wreckage surrounding it.

•Key Features:

•The vessel’s Stern bears the legible name and port of call.

•Remnants of her iron ore cargo remain on the lakebed.

•Intact features include wall paneling, doors, railings, and other structural elements.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

While no specific Notices to Mariners apply to the wreck of the Cyprus, Lake Superior remains a challenging environment for divers and researchers due to its cold temperatures, deep waters, and unpredictable weather.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Research and Exploration

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society plans to conduct further studies using submersibles and advanced sonar to unravel the remaining mysteries surrounding the Cyprus. The site is inaccessible to recreational divers due to its depth and the technical challenges of Lake Superior’s cold waters.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society: Research and preservation efforts for Lake Superior wrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival details on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Records on the construction, voyages, and incidents involving the Cyprus.

CONCLUSION

The loss of the SS Cyprus is one of the Great Lakes’ most haunting maritime tragedies. Her sinking highlights the perils faced by sailors on Lake Superior, even in vessels designed to withstand its challenges. The discovery of her wreck has provided closure to a mystery that persisted for a century, ensuring her story continues to remind us of the unpredictable power of the Inland Seas.

Tags:

#SSCyprus #LakeSuperiorShipwrecks #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeMysteries #IronOreFreighter #GreatLakesTragedy