The SS Benjamin Noble, a lake freighter that operated on the Great Lakes, was built in 1909 by the Detroit Shipbuilding Company. Originally designed as a “canaller” to fit the dimensions of the Welland Canal, the vessel was later converted by its owners to serve in the open waters of the Great Lakes. The Benjamin Noble measured 239 feet in length and had a beam of 40 feet. Constructed as a steel steambarge, it was owned by the Capitol Transportation Co. in Detroit, Michigan, and was the only example of its kind in the fleet.
Designed to transport bulk cargoes such as pulpwood, lumber, coal, and railroad steel, the Benjamin Noble had the capability to navigate through locks. With a gross tonnage of 1481, it could handle substantial loads. However, its final voyage proved to be its undoing. On April 27, 1914, the Benjamin Noble set sail carrying a heavy cargo of 2,951 tons of steel rails from Conneaut, Ohio, to Duluth, Minnesota.
The ship faced challenging weather conditions as it approached Knife Island in Lake Superior. Despite its sturdy construction, the vessel was overwhelmed by a severe storm. The heavy load of steel rails likely contributed to its top-heaviness, making it susceptible to the fierce waves and winds. The ship ultimately foundered near Knife River, Minnesota, in April 1914, resulting in the tragic loss of all hands on board. Of the estimated 16 crew members, only about the names of 10 are known.
After the tragic sinking, the Benjamin Noble lay undisturbed on the lakebed for more than 90 years, earning a reputation as a ghost ship. However, in the autumn of 2004, the wreck was rediscovered approximately eight miles off Knife Island, at a depth of 365 feet. Remarkably, the cargo, equipment, and most of the ship remained intact, preserved by the cold, dark waters of Lake Superior. Among the relics discovered were lifeboats, a bell, and the cargo of steel rails.
The discovery of the wreck of the Benjamin Noble offered a unique opportunity to glimpse into the past and gain insights into maritime history on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s tragic fate serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability and treacherous nature of these inland seas, where even a well-built ship could fall victim to the forces of nature. In 2007, the wreck was recognized for its historical significance and placed on the National Register of Historic Places as NRHP site #07000984, preserving its memory and honoring the crew members who lost their lives in the pursuit of trade and transportation on the Great Lakes.
