Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: SS Kaliyuga

•Type: Iron Ore Carrier

•Year Built: 1887

•Builder: Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: Approximately 275 feet (83.8 meters)

•Beam: 40 feet (12.2 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 2,300 tons

•Final Location: Lake Huron, near Bruce Peninsula

•Date of Wreck: October 20, 1905

•Depth: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The SS Kaliyuga was a robust iron-hulled freighter, built to meet the demanding needs of the Great Lakes bulk cargo industry. With a focus on durability and capacity, it transported iron ore, coal, and grain—essential commodities during the industrial boom. The ship’s design emphasized stability and cargo volume, enabling it to handle the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.

History

•Construction & Service:

•Built in 1887 by Globe Iron Works, the SS Kaliyuga served as a vital link in the burgeoning steel industry, reliably transporting iron ore and other goods across the Great Lakes.

•Her sturdy construction and considerable size made her a mainstay in the fleet for nearly two decades.

•Final Voyage:

•On October 18, 1905, the Kaliyuga departed from Marquette, Michigan, carrying iron ore to Erie, Pennsylvania.

•The ship navigated through the Sault Ste. Marie locks into Lake Huron, where it encountered the Great Storm of 1905, one of the fiercest storms to strike the Great Lakes.

•The Storm:

•The ship was last seen laboring through gale-force winds near the Bruce Peninsula, struggling to maintain headway.

•Witnessed by the Frontenac and L.C. Waldo, the Kaliyuga’s difficulties were evident as it attempted to find shelter from the relentless storm.

Final Disposition

•Wreckage:

•In the days following the storm, parts of the Kaliyuga washed ashore in Georgian Bay near Cove Island.

•The body of oiler Charles Beaugrand was found near Kincardine, Ontario, identified by a farewell note he carried.

•Theories on Sinking:

1.The ship may have sunk mid-lake due to overwhelming storm forces.

2.Alternatively, it may have struck a shoal while seeking refuge near Georgian Bay.

•Unresolved Mystery:

•The exact location of the Kaliyuga’s wreck remains unknown, adding to the vessel’s enduring enigma.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs)

There are no active Notices to Mariners concerning the Kaliyuga. Divers and mariners should exercise caution near historical wreck sites due to shifting currents and sediments.

Located By & Date

•Status: Unlocated

•Wreckage Evidence: Remains found near Cove Island are believed to belong to the Kaliyuga, but the main wreck site has not been definitively identified.

Resources & Links

•Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Historical Newspapers Archive – Maritime Disasters

Conclusion

The SS Kaliyuga serves as a haunting testament to the dangers of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes. Its loss during the Great Storm of 1905 highlights the immense challenges faced by sailors, even aboard well-built vessels. Though her final resting place remains undiscovered, the story of the Kaliyuga and her crew continues to honor the resilience and bravery of Great Lakes mariners.

Keywords

#SSKaliyuga #GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeHuron #GreatStorm1905 #IronOreCarrier #BrucePeninsula #MaritimeHistory #ShipwreckMystery