The MONKSHAVEN, a steel ocean bulk freighter built in 1882, embarked on a journey marked by industry and adversity. Constructed by J. Redhead & Sons at South Shields, England, this formidable vessel was originally intended for oceanic endeavors. However, its destiny was intertwined with the Great Lakes of North America, where it met its untimely fate in 1905.
The MONKSHAVEN, was equipped with a single deck, hold beams, and hatches spaced at 24 feet. It was powered by coal-fired boilers and a steeple compound engine, featuring two cylinders with dimensions of 29″ and 54″ x 36″. The propulsion system utilized a screw mechanism, reflecting the engineering standards of its time.
Initially owned by R. Harrowing of Whitby, England, the MONKSHAVEN, served as a testament to the robust maritime capabilities of the late 19th century. In 1897, ownership transferred to Donald & Taylor of Glasgow, Scotland. Three years later, in 1900, the vessel was sold to the Algoma Central Steamship Company, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, marking the beginning of its Great Lakes service.
On November 27, 1905, the MONKSHAVEN, embarked on a voyage from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to Fort William, Ontario, carrying a cargo of steel rails. The journey across Lake Superior was treacherous, with a storm of unprecedented magnitude brewing on the horizon. As described in Ronald Wrigley’s *Shipwrecked: Vessels Meet Doom on the North Shore*, the waves were colossal, surging over the ship with such force that it seemed like the vessel was a mere cork in the rapids.
The MONKSHAVEN, was only 15 miles away from its destination when it grounded on Pie Island near Thunder Bay, Lake Superior. Despite the ship’s perilous state, all 21 crew members survived, enduring a grueling three-day ordeal stranded on the island. Thirteen of them bravely rowed to the Lakehead to seek help, while the remaining eight awaited rescue.
In the aftermath of the storm, efforts were made to salvage the MONKSHAVEN,. On August 11, 1906, the ship was refloated and taken to a drydock in Duluth, Minnesota. The damage, estimated at $20,000, was substantial, but hope remained for its restoration. However, on October 10, 1906, the ship broke from its moorings during another storm and was wrecked on Angus Island. This event marked the end of the MONKSHAVEN,, as it became a total loss. During World War II, attempts to scrap the wreck using explosives were made, yet remnants of the vessel still lie at the site today.
The MONKSHAVEN, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. The ship’s story is one of resilience and human endurance, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the maritime environment. It remains an integral part of Lake Superior’s rich history of shipwrecks, contributing to the broader narrative of maritime trade and transportation in North America.
References and Links
- Buffalo Evening News**. (1905, December 1). *Sault Ste. Marie, Dec. 1 – The freighter MONKSHAVEN of the Algoma Central Line*.
- Buffalo Evening News**. (1906, June 22). *STEAMER MONKSHAVEN MAY BE A TOTAL LOSS*.
- The Railway and Marine World**. (1906, August). *The stm. MONKSHAVEN, which was blown ashore at Pie Island, Lake Superior in the fall of 1905*.
- Buffalo Evening News**. (1906, August 10). *MONKSHAVEN IS AFLOAT ONCE MORE*.
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection.
- Wrigley, R. (Year Unknown). *Shipwrecked: Vessels Meet Doom on the North Shore*.
- Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library.
- Preliminary List of Canadian Merchant Steam Vessels, (Inland & Coastal), 1809 to 1930**.
- Swayze, D. *David Swayze Shipwreck File*.
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes.
- Maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.com.
- Northernwilds.com.
- Great Lakes Ships Website.
- Great Lakes Ships We Remember II p. 228.
- Scanner Nov 1999 (#251).
- YouTube – [Link to Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufr6HKw7Vps).
