Title: Tragedy on Lake Superior: The Sinking of Schooner Barge Noquebay
Lake Superior, known for its breathtaking beauty and treacherous waters, holds within its depths the secrets of countless shipwrecks. Among them is the tragic tale of the wooden schooner barge Noquebay, a vessel that once plied the Great Lakes, carrying valuable lumber. Despite its storied history, Noquebay met a fiery end, leaving a haunting reminder of the perils faced by sailors navigating the unforgiving waters of Lake Superior.
Originally built as a schooner in 1872, Noquebay later underwent modifications to serve as a towable barge for hauling lumber. Together with another vessel named Mautenee, Noquebay was towed by the steamship Lizzie Madden, all owned by T. H. Madden, operator of the Madden Company.
On a fateful day in October 1905, Noquebay was loaded with a valuable cargo of 600,000 board-feet of hemlock lumber by the Comstock and Wilcox Company in Ashland, Wisconsin. The vessel, along with Mautenee, waited in Bayfield, Wisconsin, for Lizzie Madden to return from Duluth, Minnesota, before embarking on a journey to Buffalo, New York, to deliver their precious cargo.
As the trio of vessels set sail from Bayfield, tragedy struck when a fire broke out aboard Noquebay. The fire seemed to have originated in the compartment housing the donkey boiler, and it quickly spread, engulfing the ship in flames. Desperate to save what they could, the crew threw cargo overboard and abandoned the burning vessel, seeking refuge on board Lizzie Madden.
Despite their best efforts, the crew of Lizzie Madden could do nothing to salvage Noquebay. With the fire raging beyond control, they were left with no choice but to abandon the burning ship and continue their journey, towing Mautenee. As they reached the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the heartbreaking news was wired ahead to Buffalo and Ashland, marking the tragic end of Noquebay.
The once-proud schooner barge Noquebay now rests at the bottom of Lake Superior, a silent witness to the events that unfolded on that ill-fated day. The site of the wreck was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, commemorating the vessel’s contribution to the history of Great Lakes shipping and the enduring dangers faced by sailors on these legendary waters.
The story of Noquebay serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by sailors and the unpredictable nature of Lake Superior. As the sun sets over the tranquil waters of Chequamegon Bay, the legacy of Noquebay lives on, immortalized in the annals of Great Lakes history, a tribute to the brave souls who once sailed her decks and the indomitable spirit of those who continue to navigate the vast and unforgiving waters of Lake Superior.
