Shipwreck Report: SS Kamloops

Identification & Site Information

•Name: SS Kamloops

•Type: Canadian Steamship (Bulk Freight Carrier)

•Year Built: 1924

•Builder: Furness Shipbuilding Co., Haverton Hill, England

•Owner: Canada Steamship Lines

•Dimensions: Length – 250 feet, Beam – 43 feet, Depth – 21 feet

•Location of Wreck: Near Isle Royale, Lake Superior

•Coordinates: Approx. 15 miles off Isle Royale

•Depth: 270 feet

•Date of Loss: December 6, 1927

Vessel Type Description

The SS Kamloops was a Canadian steam-powered freighter designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. With its robust build and spacious holds, the vessel carried essential goods such as grain and iron ore, playing a vital role in the region’s industrial economy. As a relatively modern vessel of the time, it featured efficient steam engines but lacked the sophisticated navigation technology needed for safe travel during severe weather.

History

Launched in 1924, the Kamloops operated primarily as a workhorse of the Canada Steamship Lines fleet. Its regular voyages connected major Great Lakes ports, facilitating trade in bulk commodities critical to the burgeoning economies of the region.

On December 6, 1927, the SS Kamloops departed from Port Arthur (now part of Thunder Bay), Ontario, bound for Fort William, Ontario, loaded with a cargo of grain. The journey was routine until the vessel encountered a fierce winter storm. Heavy snow and high winds disoriented the ship, leaving the crew unable to accurately determine their location. Without modern navigational aids like radar or GPS, they relied on visual landmarks and rudimentary instruments, which proved inadequate in the blizzard.

The Sinking

Amid the storm, the Kamloops inadvertently grounded near Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The crew’s distress signals were picked up, but the violent weather hindered rescue attempts. Tragically, the vessel succumbed to the storm and sank, resulting in the loss of 21 of its 22 crew members.

Only one sailor, Edward C. Kmiec, survived. His survival story became a harrowing reminder of the deadly power of Lake Superior’s winter storms. The icy waters claimed the lives of the others, who either succumbed to exposure or drowned in the lake’s frigid depths.

Final Disposition

For decades, the SS Kamloops lay undiscovered, its exact location a mystery. Modern exploration efforts eventually pinpointed the wreck approximately 15 miles off Isle Royale at a depth of 270 feet. The ship was found remarkably intact, resting on the lakebed, its holds still containing remnants of its final cargo.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Kamloops remains a chilling underwater monument. Divers describe eerie scenes within the wreck, with parts of the vessel still remarkably preserved due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Superior. Artifacts, including cargo and personal effects, have been observed within the wreck, offering a haunting glimpse into its fateful voyage.

Given its depth of 270 feet, the wreck is accessible only to advanced technical divers. It is a site of great historical significance, protected within the Isle Royale National Park and Underwater Preserve. The location serves as both a memorial to the lost crew and a stark reminder of the hazards faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Protected under the Isle Royale National Park regulations.

•Diving requires permits and adherence to strict guidelines to preserve the site.

Resources & Links

•NOAA Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Comprehensive information on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Isle Royale National Park: Details on protected underwater sites.

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum: Artifact preservation and historical records.

Legacy

The sinking of the SS Kamloops stands as a somber chapter in Great Lakes maritime history. It serves as a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who sailed these challenging waters. The discovery of the wreck decades later has provided closure and a window into the past, immortalizing the Kamloops as part of Lake Superior’s rich and often tragic legacy.

Tags

#SSKamloops #LakeSuperiorShipwrecks #GreatLakesHistory #IsleRoyale #MaritimeDisasters #CanadaSteamshipLines #WinterStorms #GreatLakesDiving