Title: The Sinking of T.H. Camp: A Fishing Tug’s Tragic Encounter with a Storm
Subtitle: A Shallow-Draft Vessel Meets its Demise near Madeline Island, Lake Superior
In the year 1900, the T.H. Camp, a wooden fishing tug, embarked on a fateful journey across the tempestuous waters of Lake Superior. Built in 1876 by Luther Read in Cape Vincent, New York, the T.H. Camp had a unique purpose: to move from fishing boat to fishing boat, collecting their catch. With its shallow draft, it was perfectly suited for this task.
On November 16, 1900, the T.H. Camp set sail, chartered as a temporary cargo carrier. Laden with lumber camp supplies, it was bound for Madeline Island, an isle amidst the Apostles. However, fate had a different plan in store for this sturdy vessel.
As the T.H. Camp navigated the treacherous waters near Madeline Island, a ferocious storm brewed overhead. In the midst of the raging tempest, disaster struck. The fishing tug struck a reef, and its wooden hull was breached. With each passing moment, the T.H. Camp succumbed to the relentless onslaught of the storm.
Inevitably, the vessel sank beneath the surface, coming to rest in the depths of Lake Superior, where it remains to this day. Its final resting place lies approximately 200 feet below the surface, a solemn reminder of the perils faced by seafarers on these unforgiving waters.
Fortunately, there was no loss of life associated with the sinking of the T.H. Camp. However, the vessel’s cargo of lumber camp supplies, intended to sustain a remote camp, was lost to the depths. The T.H. Camp, owned by A. Booth & Co. of Chicago, became yet another casualty of the formidable storms that have claimed countless vessels throughout maritime history.
The sinking of the T.H. Camp stands as a testament to the power and unpredictability of Lake Superior. It serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those who navigate these perilous waters, where storms can arise suddenly, and treacherous reefs lie hidden beneath the surface.
The memory of the T.H. Camp lives on through historical records and publications, recounting its role in the fishing industry and its tragic demise. The tale of this fishing tug serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by mariners, as they braved the elements and sought to make a living on the vast and formidable Great Lakes.
Though the T.H. Camp may have found its resting place in the depths of Lake Superior, its story endures as a testament to the bravery and resilience of those who ventured onto these waters, etching their names into the annals of maritime history.
