IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Vessel Name: Hesper
  • Type: Bulk Freighter (Steamship)
  • Year Built: 1890
  • Builder: Ship Owners Dry Dock Co. and William H. Radcliffe (Master Carpenter)
  • Dimensions: Length: 250.3 feet (76.3 meters) Beam: 41.6 feet (12.7 meters) Depth: 20.2 feet (6.2 meters) Gross Tonnage: 1858 tons
  • Final Resting Place: Beaver Bay Reef, Silver Bay Harbor, Lake Superior
  • Coordinates: 47° 16.310′ N 91° 16.278′ W
  • Depth: 42 feet (13 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Hesper was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter Steamship, purpose-built for the bustling iron ore and grain trade on the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and twin-Deck design made it an efficient and reliable carrier during its operational years. With a single stack and distinctive engineering features, including a triple expansion engine and scotch boilers, the vessel demonstrated the advanced maritime technology of its time.

HISTORY

The Hesper was constructed in 1890 in Cleveland, Ohio, under the expertise of the Ship Owners Dry Dock Co. and master carpenter William H. Radcliffe. It was initially owned by M.A. Bradley and others from Cleveland. Its propulsion system, powered by a triple expansion engine with three cylinders and a sectional propeller, provided a robust 825 horsepower, making it well-suited for transporting heavy cargoes across the challenging Great Lakes.

Role in Industry

The Hesper became an integral part of the Great Lakes iron ore industry and grain trade, transporting essential commodities between key ports. Its service life highlighted the importance of bulk freighters in the regional economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Final Voyage

On May 3, 1905, the Hesper met its tragic fate. While en route to Two Harbors, the ship encountered a fierce late spring snowstorm. Battling 60-mile-per-hour northeasterly winds, the vessel was pushed off course and ran aground on Beaver Bay Reef, about 35 miles above Two Harbors, in Lake Superior. The storm’s ferocity caused the ship to break in two, rendering it a Total Loss.

Despite the dire circumstances, the crew successfully escaped in yawls, a testament to their resilience and preparedness.

FINAL DISPOSITION

  • Date of Loss: May 3, 1905
  • Cause: Grounding and subsequent breakup due to a severe snowstorm
  • Outcome: Total Loss, no fatalities
  • Current Condition: The wreck lies submerged in 42 feet of water near Beaver Bay Reef in Silver Bay Harbor. It is well-preserved and remains a point of interest for divers and maritime historians.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly associated with the wreck of the Hesper. Divers and boaters should exercise caution in the area due to the presence of submerged wreckage and the potential for debris on the reef.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Hesper is a known site, with its location documented in Silver Bay Harbor, Lake Superior. It has been explored and documented by divers over the years.

RESOURCES & LINKS

3D Models – Hesper

Shipwreck Hesper by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

ANALYSIS

The Hesper represents the vital role bulk freighters played in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. Built at the height of the industrial era, the ship’s operational history reflects the demands and risks of transporting essential commodities. Its tragic end during a severe storm underscores the challenges faced by mariners navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

Today, the Hesper serves as a submerged time capsule, offering insights into the shipbuilding technology, trade routes, and maritime history of the early 20th century. Its wreck site remains a point of interest for divers and historians, preserving the memory of the vessel and its crew’s resilience in the face of adversity.

KEYWORDS Hesper, Lake Superior, Beaver Bay Reef, Silver Bay Harbor, Great Lakes shipwreck, bulk freighter, 1905 snowstorm, iron ore trade, grain trade, wooden Steamship.