MONARCH C96834

1 min read

Site Orientation

Package Freighter
10 – 80ffw
260ft Length
Isle Royal, Lake Superior
N 48^o 11.334’ W 88^o 25.957’

History

The Monarch, a wooden propeller ship, had a series of events and incidents throughout its history. It was launched in Sarnia, Ontario, on June 26, 1890, for the Northwest Transportation Company, also known as the Beatty Line. The ship measured 240 feet in length, 35 feet in beam, had 62 staterooms, and cost around $200,000. It operated in the passenger and package freight trade, primarily between Sarnia, Port Arthur, and Fort William, alongside its sister ship, the United Empire.

Over the years, the Monarch faced several challenges. On August 8, 1892, it ran aground in the river between Fort Williams and Port Arthur. Then, on October 25, 1893, during a gale on Lake Huron, the ship broke its rudder quadrant. Another incident occurred on November 27, 1896, when the Monarch struck the Sargent Coal Dock in Duluth, Minnesota. Later, on October 4, 1898, it was struck by the steamer Mahoning in Duluth Harbor.

However, the most significant event in the Monarch’s history came on December 6, 1906. The ship cleared Port Arthur on its final trip of the season, sailing through a blinding snowstorm. At 9 pm, it struck Blake Point on Isle Royale. During the incident, one crew member was knocked overboard and drowned when a line parted. The ship was pounded to pieces, and only the pilot house remained above water. The crew of 30 men and ten passengers took to lifeboats and managed to reach the shore of Isle Royale. They faced a desperate struggle, as they were without food or water.

Fortunately, they were able to start a bonfire, which caught the attention of the lighthouse keeper on Passage Island. Despite the heavy surf, the lighthouse keeper attempted to reach Isle Royale in a rowboat but was unable to land. Purser Beaumont swam out and was picked up by the lighthouse keeper, and together they rowed back to Passage Island. The steamer Edmonton was signaled, and word of the disaster reached Port Arthur. The tugs Whalen and Laura Grave were loaded with provisions and clothing and dispatched to the wreck.

All passengers and crew members made it to shore, and there were no reported fatalities. However, the survivors had to endure great hardships on the bleak and rocky Isle Royale, especially considering the heavy snow and windstorm blowing over Lake Superior. The Monarch remained wrecked on Blake Point, slipping backwards into deep water, where it still lies.

Today, the Monarch serves as a popular dive site within Isle Royale National Park. The ship rests in water ranging from 15 to 80 feet deep. While the ship’s sides have broken away from the bottom, its hull construction and arches provide a glimpse into the shipbuilding techniques of the time. Divers can also find various artifacts, including the anchor, a bathtub, a stove, china, and brown bottles filled with wheat samples, offering a window into the ship’s past.