Mataafa Storm (1905)

In November 27-28 1905, a massive snowstorm swept across Lake Superior. In Duluth, winds reached 68 mph, and snow and ice blanketed ships across the Lake. In total, 29 ships were destroyed or damaged, 36 people died and 3.57 million dollars of damage was done. In modern currency, that's about 122 million. The storm was named after the steamship Mataafa, which sunk in sight of Duluth and alone lead to the deaths of nine men. It, and a few others, provide insight into this tragic storm.

The Mataafa was a bulk carrier, built in 1899. She was extremly accident prone, suffering six major incidents in the course of her career. In 1905, the Mataafa would suffer the storm she leant her name to.
In the storm, the Mataafa attempted to make port in Duluth, but was slammed side on into the stone pier.
The ship split in two, and the aft section was flooded. Nine men froze after being exposed to the icy water.
The Mataafa was refloated and repaired, and returned to service. In 1946, she was converted to a car carrier, to tranpsort the cars made in Detroit across the world.
In 1965, she was sold for scrap, and was dismantled in Hamburg, West Germany.

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The Crescent City was a bulk carrier in service to the Pittsburg Shipping Line.
Built in 1897, she gave good service until the brutal storm of November 1905.
A massive wave picked up the Crescent City and smashed her against the rocks by Lakewood. Her crew used a ladder as a makeshift gangway and took refuge against the elements in the town.
She was eventually refloated and repaired, eventually being scrapped in 1957.

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The Madeira was a schooner barged launched in 1900. A schooner barge is a ship meant to be towed, while assisting with its own sails.
During the storm, the ship tugging the Madeira cut the tow in an attempt to save itself, leaving the Madeira to be flung against the cliff at Gold Rock.
A brave crewman managed to get a line onshore and saved the lives of eight other men. The first mate, unfortunetly, went down with the ship.
In 1955 diver from a Duluth private diving club (the Frigid Frogs) located the wreck of the Madiera, fifty years after she went down. Slavage started rather quickly.

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