Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maia
- Type: Steel-hulled, self-unloading bulk freight barge
- Year Built: 1898
- Builder: Chicago Shipbuilding Co.
- Dimensions: 376 ft × 48 ft × 26 ft; ~3,804 GRT
- Registered Tonnage: ~3,804 GRT
- Location: Point Isabelle, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 92894
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled, self-unloading bulk freight barge.
Description
Description
The Maia was built in 1898 by the Chicago Shipbuilding Co. and was primarily used as a steam barge, typically towed by steamers such as the Coralia in the Great Lakes freight trade.
History
History
The Maia was caught in the Mataafa Storm of November 27-28, 1905, a powerful extratropical cyclone that affected the Great Lakes, including Lake Superior. Under tow of the steamer Coralia, the Maia was torn away in violent gale conditions and cast ashore at Point Isabelle, sustaining heavy structural damage that led to its declaration as a total loss.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Lost on November 29, 1905, during the Mataafa Storm.
- Declared total loss due to heavy structural damage.
- No confirmed casualties reported.
- Hull recovered and repurposed as a breakwater in 1956; scrapped in 1962.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The hull of the Maia was later recovered and utilized as a breakwater in 1956, ultimately being scrapped in 1962.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the wreck has been repurposed as a breakwater, the current condition of the original hull is not documented in detail. Investigations into the Point Isabelle shoreline may reveal remaining structural remnants.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maia-1898″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Maia serves as a compelling example of the vulnerabilities faced by towed steel barges in extreme weather conditions, as well as the creative reuse of maritime infrastructure following its loss.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Build & Design
- Type: Steel-hulled, self-unloading bulk freight barge
- Built: 1898 by Chicago Shipbuilding Co., Chicago (Hull No. 33)
- Specifications: 376 ft × 48 ft × 26 ft; ~3,804 GRT
- Functioned as a steam barge (not self-propelled), typically towed by steamers such as the Coralia in the Great Lakes freight trade (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Voyage & Grounding – November 29, 1905
- Context: Caught in the massive Mataafa Storm of November 27–28, 1905—a powerful extratropical cyclone that battered the Great Lakes, including Lake Superior (Wikipedia).
- Incident Details:
- The Maia, under tow of the steamer Coralia, was torn away in violent gale conditions and cast ashore at Point Isabelle, Lake Superior (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Damage: Sustained heavy structural damage, prompting a declaration of total loss.
- Casualties: Unknown—no confirmed loss of life is recorded in contemporary sources.
- Post-Incident: The hull was later recovered, utilized as a breakwater in 1956, and ultimately scrapped in 1962 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Historical & Engineering Significance
- Embodies the catastrophic impact of the Mataafa Storm, which resulted in 36 deaths and significant losses, especially on Lake Superior (Wikipedia).
- Demonstrates the vulnerabilities faced by towed steel barges in extreme weather, notwithstanding their bulk freight purpose.
- The barge’s later life as a breakwater highlights a creative reuse of wrecked shipping infrastructure.
Research & Investigation Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Newspaper & Storm Reports | Examine late Nov 1905 issues of Duluth News Tribune and Superior Evening Telegram for towline failure details and casualty reporting. |
| Tow-steamer Records | Locate logs and reports from Coralia in shipping archives—may detail the tow’s break and subsequent salvage. |
| Wreck & Reuse Documentation | Investigate municipal and USCG records on barge recovery and breakwater installation (1956), and scrapping process (1962). |
| Salvage Site Survey | Assess the Point Isabelle shoreline for remaining structural remnants, possibly visible at low water or via shallow survey/photo-documentation. |
Summary
- Name: Maia (Official No. 92894)
- Built: 1898, Chicago; steel bulk freighter barge
- Lost: Nov 29, 1905 – torn from tow, wrecked at Point Isabelle in the Mataafa Storm
- Cargo: Not recorded
- Casualties: Unknown
- Fate: Declared total loss; hull repurposed as breakwater, scrapped by 1962
- Significance: A compelling example of storm vulnerability and maritime resource reuse on the Great Lakes