The Mysterious Disappearance of the Inkerman #
Lake Superior, known for its treacherous storms and unpredictable nature, holds the secrets of numerous shipwrecks within its depths. One such enigma is the tragic story of the Inkerman, a French Navy minesweeper that vanished without a trace during its delivery voyage across Lake Superior in 1918. Alongside its sister ships, Cerisoles and Sebastopol, the Inkerman succumbed to the fury of a storm, leaving behind unanswered questions and a profound loss of life. This article delves into the details surrounding the Inkerman’s ill-fated journey, the subsequent search efforts, and the ongoing quest to uncover its final resting place.
The Naravin-class Minesweepers:
Built in 1918 at the Canada Car and Foundry in Fort William, Ontario, the Inkerman and Cerisoles belonged to the Navarin-class of minesweepers designed for clearing naval mines in the English Channel. These vessels measured 140 feet in length, with a displacement of 630 tons. Constructed with steel-framed wooden hulls, they were divided into four watertight compartments. Each ship was equipped with twin screws, a single funnel, and had a top speed of approximately 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph). The Inkerman and Cerisoles were armed with two 100 mm (4 in) deck guns and served a dual purpose, as they were designed to function as fishing trawlers after the war.
In mid-November 1918, the Inkerman, Cerisoles, and Sebastopol embarked on their journey from Fort William, Ontario, to the Atlantic Ocean via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. The Inkerman and Cerisoles carried a crew of 76 French sailors, accompanied by two experienced Canadian captains, Capt. R. Wilson and W.J. Murphy. As they ventured deeper into Lake Superior, they encountered a blizzard with recorded winds of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) and towering waves reaching 30 feet (9.1 m) in height. The storm quickly enveloped the ships, and visibility was reduced to near-zero.
Separated by the ferocity of the storm, the Sebastopol managed to reach Sault Ste. Marie after battling the elements for two days. However, the Inkerman and Cerisoles vanished amidst the snow and waves. Despite rumors suggesting they had sailed undetected through the locks and continued towards the St. Lawrence River, it became evident that the ships were lost. A search effort was initiated on December 3, 1918, but due to wartime censorship, it remained relatively small, and the public was unaware of the tragedy until the end of the war.
The Enduring Mystery:
To this day, the wreckage of the Inkerman and Cerisoles has never been discovered, and their fate remains shrouded in mystery. The exact location and circumstances surrounding their disappearance continue to perplex researchers and maritime historians. Numerous theories have emerged, speculating that the ships may have encountered the uncharted Superior Shoal, a pinnacle in the center of the lake, or succumbed to the relentless power of the storm. Some suggest that wooden plugs used in the construction of the minesweepers, possibly due to funding constraints during the war’s end, contributed to their demise.
The Ongoing Search:
In recent years, several search efforts have been undertaken to locate the missing ships, but none have yielded definitive results. The most extensive expedition to date, organized by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, commenced in the summer of 2023. Utilizing modern technology and the expertise of a dedicated crew.
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