The Great Storm of 1905 – a.k.a. the “Mataafa Storm”

“The Mataafa was cracking at Hatch Number 8, and the stern was ‘sinking’ lower into the water. Water was spilling in and shelter was minimal.”

1905 – The shipping season had been dreadful and hardly any person could blame a captain for ignoring the meteorologists. After all one storm had already come and gone recently. Would another be so quick to follow? Some masters thought not and proceeded to steam out onto Lake Superior out of Duluth, Minnesota. It was November 27th, and meteorologists were expecting a big storm to hit soon. As time progressed the storm would gain momentum, forcing the lake freighters to seek refuge in Duluth. The waves were enormous, snow was falling, it was cold and visibility poor. Crews were also faced with the task of avoiding collision with land…

— J. G. Burdette

Above article and photo the property of J. G. Burdette – A Superior Menace: SS Mataafa

Read The Complete J. G. Burdette Edge-of-you-seat Article

Possibly The Worst Storm On Record.

The Mataafa Storm – Waves shattered windows and beat the boat up. Humble asked for full steam from the engine room and still found the storm made it difficult to maneuver. On the 28th Humble decided to return to Duluth. By the time he had neared Duluth the heavy hatch covers were being worked loose by the waves…

Read Entire Article at – Zenith City

 
MN historical Society Shipwreck Map

All Content the property of J. G. Burdette & Zenith City Press.From Crossing the Canal: An Illustrated History of Duluth’s Aerial Bridge, copyright © 2008, Zenith City Press, Duluth, Minnesota and from Zenith: A Postcard Perspective of Historic Duluth, copyright © 2005, Zenith City Press, Duluth, Minnesota. Image: X-Comm.

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