SS Henry B. Smith: A Fateful Journey into the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
The SS Henry B. Smith, a steel-hulled lake freighter built in 1906, had experienced its fair share of misfortunes throughout the year of 1913, leading to delays and frustration for its captain, James Owen. With mounting pressure to make the last trip on time, the Smith departed Marquette on November 9, 1913, loaded with iron ore, despite the brewing storm over Lake Superior.
As the gale lashed the lake and temperatures dropped to a freezing 24 degrees Fahrenheit, the ore in the hopper cars began to freeze, causing further delays during the loading process. As the Smith finally left the harbor, the gale returned with full force, catching the crew off guard. Frantically trying to close the ship’s 32 hatches, the deckhands struggled against the merciless storm.
In a desperate attempt to find shelter, Captain James Owen changed course, heading for the safety behind Keweenaw Point to the north. However, as darkness and snow squalls enveloped the ship, the Smith disappeared from sight, swallowed by the raging storm.
Two days after the tempestuous Great Lakes Storm of 1913 subsided, debris from the Smith washed ashore along Chocolay Bay, Shot Point, and Laughing Fish Point. The wreckage, found high up on the beach, bore witness to the ship’s tragic fate. Only two bodies were recovered from the lake, leaving the fate of the remaining crew members uncertain.
In June 1914, a note in a bottle surfaced, purportedly from the Smith, claiming that the ship had broken in two. However, the date on the note did not match the known timeline of the sinking, leading to skepticism about its authenticity.
For nearly a century, the location of the SS Henry B. Smith remained a mystery. It wasn’t until May 2013 that shipwreck hunters finally located the wreck lying in 535 feet of water off Marquette. Video footage confirmed that the ship was indeed the long-lost SS Henry B. Smith.
The discovery of the wreck provided valuable insight into the history and design of lake freighters during that era. The SS Henry B. Smith serves as a significant example of a transitional-style vessel, built as freighter lengths were rapidly increasing at the turn of the 20th century. As the only known example of this type and size of ship available for study in Lake Superior, the wreck offers a unique opportunity for maritime archaeologists and historians to delve into the details of this historical vessel.
The sinking of the SS Henry B. Smith remains a poignant reminder of the unpredictable and treacherous nature of the Great Lakes, where even the mightiest ships can be brought down by the fury of the elements. The ship’s story stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of the sailors who navigated these perilous waters, and as a solemn memorial to those who lost their lives on that fateful journey into the heart of the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
