Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L.C. Waldo
- Type: Steel-hulled steam freighter
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Gull Rock near Manitou Island
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled steam freighter, configured for bulk iron ore transport.
Description
The L.C. Waldo was a steamship built in 1896, primarily used for transporting iron ore. It was lost during the Great Storm of 1913, a significant maritime disaster in the Great Lakes region.
History
The Waldo’s loss occurred during the historic “November Witch”—the Great Storm of 1913, which raged from November 7-10 across the Great Lakes. At its height, winds reached up to 90 mph, with 35 ft waves and blizzard conditions, resulting in 19 ships lost and over 250 lives claimed.
Significant Incidents
- Voyage & Damage: Departed Two Harbors, MN on November 7, bound for Cleveland with iron ore. The storm quickly demolished her pilot house, damaged steering gear, and left the compass and electrical systems nonfunctional.
- Grounding: Around 4 AM on November 8, struck Gull Rock. The bow settled on the rock, the hull cracked ominously, and the crew took shelter amidships.
- Survival Story: Crew (22 men, 2 women, and a dog) endured nearly four days trapped with no food, freezing temperatures, and encased in ice. Improvised stoves were used to stave off hypothermia.
Final Disposition
Initially abandoned on Gull Rock, the ship was later salvaged, repaired, and returned to service under the name Riverton.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site lies atop or near Gull Rock, Keweenaw Peninsula, in shallow, turbulent water—unsuitable for diving and likely heavily broken.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-c-waldo-1896″ title=”References & Links”]
The L.C. Waldo saga is one of the Great Lakes’ most dramatic survival stories—caught in a record-breaking gale, struck rocks, and foundering among ice, only to be dramatically rescued after 92 harrowing hours. The vessel’s later salvage and heavy praise for rescuers cement its legacy in maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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