The Tragic Loss of the SS Regina: A Tale of the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
On November 9, 1913, the SS Regina set sail, heading north on Lake Huron, unaware of the impending danger that lay ahead. That night, one of the most ferocious storms in the history of the Great Lakes erupted, unleashing waves reaching up to a staggering 38 feet in height. Unfortunately, the Regina was not only battling the raging tempest but was also top-heavy, laden with a precarious cargo of sewer pipes.
Recognizing the perilous situation, the crew made a desperate attempt to anchor the vessel approximately 7 miles east of Lexington, Michigan. As the storm’s fury intensified, all power on the ship was shut down in a desperate bid to weather the tempest. Tragically, the Regina’s fate was sealed as it capsized and sank, taking the captain and the ship to the bottom of Lake Huron.
In the aftermath of the storm, near Port Franks, Ontario, the somber remnants of the tragedy began to emerge. Two bodies were discovered alongside a capsized lifeboat from the Regina, while another ten bodies were found strewn along the beach nearby. It became evident that there were no survivors from the ill-fated ship.
Initially, speculation arose that the Regina might have collided with another ship, the Charles S. Price, which also sank in the same storm. This theory seemed plausible as some of the bodies recovered from the Charles S. Price were wearing lifebelts from the Regina. However, further investigation and a diver’s confirmation dispelled this notion, confirming that the Charles S. Price had sunk without any signs of a collision.
The aftermath of the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 was one of confusion and devastation. A total of twelve ships foundered during the tempest, and determining the locations of the shipwrecks posed a significant challenge. In the days following the storm, a mysterious sight greeted observers—a massive steel freighter floating upside down with only the bow visible above the waterline, coated in ice with no visible identifying marks. People initially assumed this to be the wreckage of the Regina, which had vanished the previous day. However, it was later identified as the Charles S. Price, shortly before it ultimately sank on November 17.
Decades later, in 1986, the long-lost Regina was finally discovered resting on the bottom of Lake Huron between Lexington and Port Sanilac, Michigan. The wreckage, mostly intact but upside down, lay submerged in approximately 77–80 feet of water. The discovery was made by Wayne Brusate, Garry Biniecki, and John Severance. A subsequent archaeological salvage expedition led by underwater archaeologist and shipwreck expert E. Lee Spence in 1987 revealed a trove of artifacts, including hundreds of intact bottles of still potable Scotch and Champagne.
The tragic sinking of the SS Regina remains etched in the annals of Great Lakes history as a solemn reminder of the formidable forces that can arise on these inland seas. The story of the Regina and the other ships lost during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 serves as a poignant tribute to the brave mariners who faced the merciless tempest, enduring the ultimate sacrifice in the relentless battle against the unforgiving forces of nature.
