Identification and Site Information

• • Type: Package Freighter
• • Port of Registry: Port Huron, Michigan
• • Incident Date: April 30, 1909
• • Location: Lake Huron
• • Cause: Sank after her cargo shifted
• • Lives Lost: None; 22 crew members escaped in small boats.

History:

The package freighter Russia, operating out of Port Huron, was carrying general cargo across Lake Huron when disaster struck. The cargo unexpectedly shifted during rough weather, destabilizing the vessel and causing it to sink. Despite the danger, all 22 crew members managed a harrowing escape in small lifeboats, reaching safety amid the treacherous conditions.

The events of April 30, 1909, marked one of the most disastrous days in Great Lakes navigation history. Four vessels—George Nester, Russia, Batavia, and Aurania—suffered catastrophic incidents across Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan. From violent storms to shifting cargo, crushing ice, and eerie desertions, the day highlighted the unpredictable and dangerous nature of commerce on the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival information on specific incidents and vessels.
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel histories and records.
• 3DShipwrecks – Russia

3D Model – Russia

Shipwreck Russia-2 by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Suggested Keywords & Categories:

• Keywords: George Nester, Russia freighter, Batavia mystery, Aurania ice sinking, Lake Superior disasters, Great Lakes shipwrecks, April 30, 1909 storm.

• Categories: Lake Superior Shipwrecks, Lake Huron Disasters, Lake Michigan Mysteries, 20th-Century Maritime History, Weather-Related Vessel Losses.

Glossary Terms:

• Package Freighter: A type of cargo vessel used to transport general goods, often with quick loading/unloading capabilities.

• Stranding: The process of a ship running aground, often due to weather or navigational challenges.

• Ice Floe: A sheet of floating ice that can crush or damage vessels navigating cold waters.

If you’d like specific maps, wreck locations, or further details on individual vessels, let me know!