Identification and Site Information

• Vessel Name: MONKSHAVEN
• Type: Steel Ocean Bulk Freighter
• Builder: J. Redhead & Sons, South Shields, England
• Hull Number: 183
• Year Built: 1882
• Official Number: B86632
• Hull Material: Steel
• Dimensions Length Overall (LOA): 257 feet (78.33 meters Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP): 249 feet (75.9 meters) Beam: 36 feet (10.97 meters) Depth: 17 feet 6 inches (5.33 meters)
• Gross Tonnage : 1,415 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1,127 tons
• Capacity: Steel Rails (cargo capacity noted in 1905 incident)
• Propulsion: Steeple Compound Steam Engine. Cylinders: 29” and 54” x 36” Coal-fired boilers Screw Propulsion
• Home Port Glasgow, Scotland
• Final Location:
  • Pie Island, near Thunder Bay, Lake Superior, Canada Wreck site: Angus Island, Lake Superior
  • Recovered and scuttled – Port Credit ON
  • 43°28’59.4″N 79°36’29.4″W

Vessel Type Description

The MONKSHAVEN was a robust steel-hulled freighter originally designed for oceanic trade but later repurposed for service in the Great Lakes under Canadian ownership. Built with a single Deck and hold beams for bulk cargo like steel rails, the freighter reflected the growing reliance on larger steel vessels for inland waterway transportation during the late 19th century.

History

The MONKSHAVEN began its life as a cargo freighter in 1882, built for international trade routes. Its initial owner, R. Harrowing of Whitby, England, employed the ship for Atlantic trade. In 1900, the vessel transitioned to Canadian waters under the ownership of the Algoma Central Steamship Company, marking its entry into the bustling Great Lakes maritime network.

The freighter operated efficiently until November 27, 1905, when it was caught in a fierce Lake Superior storm while en route from Sault Ste. Marie to Fort William. With steel rails as its cargo, the MONKSHAVEN ran aground on Pie Island, leaving its 21-member crew stranded. Miraculously, all crew members survived after a grueling three days on the island.

Salvage and Refloating Efforts:

In August 1906, the ship was refloated and taken to a drydock in Duluth, Minnesota, where its repairs were estimated at $20,000. However, before the vessel could return to service, it broke free of its moorings during another storm on October 10, 1906, and was wrecked on Angus Island. This marked the MONKSHAVEN’s final demise, making it a Total Loss.

Post-Wreck History:

Efforts to scrap the wreck during World War II using explosives were only partially successful, leaving remnants of the ship at its final resting place.

Final Disposition

• Date of Sinking: November 27, 1905 (grounding at Pie Island)
• Date of Total Loss: October 10, 1906 (wrecked at Angus Island)
• Condition: Wreck remnants persist, mostly salvaged
• Scuttled: Port Credit Ontario as Breakwater

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) explicitly reference the MONKSHAVEN wreck site, but mariners in the Thunder Bay area should exercise caution due to possible submerged debris near Angus Island.

Located By & Date

The wreck site is known to local historians and divers. Its precise coordinates remain an area of exploration for shipwreck enthusiasts and maritime archaeologists.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage lies scattered at the site, with remnants visible. Its age, repeated attempts at scrapping, and exposure to natural elements have contributed to significant deterioration. While divers occasionally explore the site, conditions and Visibility in the Nipigon Strait region may vary.

Resources & Links

• C. Patrick Labadie Collection: Historical details and images of the ship.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive shipwreck documentation.
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes: Additional archival material.
• Wrigley, R., Shipwrecked: Vessels Meet Doom on the North Shore.
• Buffalo Evening News (1905, 1906): Reports on the storm and salvage.
• The Railway and Marine World: Accounts of refloating and repairs.
• Great Lakes Ships We Remember II: Historical narratives
• Modern Mississauga: Modern Mississauga _ The Ridgetown

Keywords #MONKSHAVEN #Algoma Central Steamship Co. #Lake Superior shipwrecks #Great Lakes maritime history #Steel freighter wreck #Pie Island grounding #Thunder Bay shipwrecks

Analysis

The MONKSHAVEN exemplifies the perils of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during the unpredictable late fall season. From its origins as an oceanic freighter to its ill-fated tenure on Lake Superior, the ship’s history highlights both the ingenuity of early steel vessel construction and the relentless forces of nature on the Great Lakes. Its partial preservation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by mariners and the enduring legacy of shipwrecks in the region.