Inkerman (French Navy Minesweeper)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Inkerman
• Type: Navarin-class Minesweeper
• Year Built: 1918
• Builder: Canada Car and Foundry, Fort William, Ontario
• Dimensions: 140 ft (42.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 630 tons
• Location: Last known near Lake Superior during a storm
• Coordinates: Exact location unknown
• Original Owners: French Navy

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Inkerman was a Navarin-class minesweeper built in 1918 at the Canada Car and Foundry in Fort William, Ontario. This class of minesweepers was designed specifically for clearing naval mines in the English Channel. The vessel was 140 feet (42.7 meters) in length and had a displacement of 630 tons. It was constructed with a steel-framed wooden hull, divided into four watertight compartments, and was equipped with twin screws, a single funnel, and two 100 mm (4 in) deck guns. The vessel was capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) and was also designed to function as a fishing trawler after the war.

Description

The Inkerman, along with its sister ships Cerisoles and Sebastopol, embarked on its maiden voyage from Fort William, Ontario, in mid-November 1918, destined for the Atlantic Ocean via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. The ships were crewed by 76 French sailors and accompanied by two experienced Canadian captains, Capt. R. Wilson and W.J. Murphy. As they traversed Lake Superior, the vessels encountered a severe blizzard, with winds recorded at 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) and waves reaching heights of 30 feet (9.1 meters).

History

During the storm, the Sebastopol managed to survive the ordeal and reached Sault Ste. Marie after two grueling days. However, the Inkerman and Cerisoles were not so fortunate. They vanished in the storm, leaving behind no trace of their whereabouts. Initial rumors suggested that the vessels might have passed through the locks undetected, continuing toward the St. Lawrence River, but it soon became evident that the ships were lost.

A search operation was launched on December 3, 1918, but due to wartime censorship, the effort remained relatively small, and the public was unaware of the tragedy until after the war had ended.

Significant Incidents

• The Inkerman and Cerisoles were lost during a severe storm on Lake Superior in November 1918.
• A search operation was initiated on December 3, 1918, but no wreckage was found.
• Theories regarding their disappearance include striking uncharted shoals or succumbing to the storm’s power.

Final Disposition

The exact fate of the Inkerman and its sister ship, Cerisoles, remains a mystery. The vessels were lost during the storm on Lake Superior in November 1918, and despite search efforts, no wreckage or remains have been discovered to date. Theories regarding their disappearance include the possibility of the ships striking the uncharted Superior Shoal or succumbing to the sheer power of the storm. Some suggest that the use of wooden plugs in their construction, potentially due to funding constraints during the war, may have contributed to their sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Since the wreck of the Inkerman has not been found, the condition and accessibility of the vessel remain unknown. The search continues, with the most recent expedition organized by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in 2023, utilizing modern technology in hopes of finally discovering the wreck.

Resources & Links

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The story of the Inkerman, a French Navy minesweeper lost during its delivery voyage in 1918, remains one of Lake Superior’s most enduring mysteries. Despite numerous search efforts, the wreck has never been found, leaving behind unanswered questions and a legacy of loss. The Inkerman’s disappearance continues to captivate the imagination of historians, researchers, and maritime enthusiasts, representing the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during times of war and peace.