The Sinking of SS Myron
In the vast expanse of Lake Superior, where legends and shipwrecks intertwine, the story of SS Myron stands as a haunting reminder of the dangers faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. Built as a lumber hooker in 1888, the Myron spent over three decades navigating treacherous waters, towing schooner barges laden with cargo. However, in the grip of a violent November gale in 1919, the once-mighty vessel met its tragic end, leaving behind a tale of heroism, loss, and a legacy forever etched into the waters of Lake Superior.
Launched in Grand Haven, Michigan, in 1888, the wooden steamer Myron was originally christened as Mark Hopkins. Under the ownership of Captain Harris Baker, she embarked on a storied career as a lumber hooker, carrying vast amounts of lumber across the Great Lakes. Renamed Myron in 1902, the ship encountered several mishaps and rebuilds during her service, but her reputation as a reliable workhorse endured.
On a chilly November morning in 1919, the Myron set sail from Munising, Michigan, bound for Buffalo, New York, accompanied by the schooner barge Miztec, both heavily laden with lumber. Little did they know that a severe gale was brewing on Lake Superior, lurking in the shadows to challenge their voyage home.
As the gale descended upon them with relentless force, the Myron and Miztec fought valiantly against towering waves and howling winds. The aged seams of the Myron’s wooden hull succumbed to the pounding seas, causing a fatal leak below deck. With her pumps overwhelmed and ice building up, the once-sturdy vessel began to falter.
In a heroic attempt to save their crew and cargo, Captain Walter Neal of the Myron decided to drop off the Miztec before seeking refuge in Whitefish Bay. The battered Miztec found temporary safety, but the Myron faced an even greater struggle to reach the bay’s shelter.
The larger steel steamer, Adriatic, spotted the struggling Myron and provided temporary shelter from the brutal waves. The Vermilion lifesaving crew also arrived on the scene, navigating treacherous conditions to lend their aid. However, the desperate attempts to rescue the crew of the sinking ship were met with near-impossible odds.
Despite the valiant efforts of the rescue teams, the Myron’s fate was sealed. As the waters rose below deck, the vessel slipped into a deadly trough, sinking within minutes. Captain Neal, clinging to the pilothouse roof, watched as his crew launched lifeboats only to be trapped by the unforgiving sea.
The storm claimed the lives of all 17 crew members of the Myron, leaving a trail of frozen bodies wearing life jackets as the chilling testament of their struggle. A handful of bodies were discovered frozen in ice near Whitefish Point, and further searches revealed more victims, each a testament to the fierce power of Lake Superior.
The wreck of SS Myron lay shattered on the lakebed, a somber reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful November day. Her artifacts were salvaged and preserved, now showcased at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, a tribute to the brave souls who sailed her waters.
The story of SS Myron is etched into the annals of Lake Superior’s history, forever intertwined with the tales of other shipwrecks that dot the Great Lakes. As the waters continue to hold the memories of those lost, the legacy of the Myron serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of sailors who braved the storms in their quest to navigate these legendary waters.
