Too Much Sea for Their Decks

Shipwrecks of Minnesota's North Shore and Isle Royale

By: Michael Schumacher

Narrated by: Jim Seybert

Against the backdrop of the extraordinary history of Great Lakes shipping, Too Much Sea for Their Decks chronicles shipwrecked schooners, wooden freighters, early steel-hulled steamers, whalebacks, and bulk carriers all lost in the frigid waters of Lake Superior.

Included are compelling accounts of vessels destined for infamy, such as that of the Stranger, a slender wooden schooner swallowed by the lake in 1875; an account of the whaleback Wilson, rammed by a large commercial freighter in broad daylight and in calm seas; and the mysterious loss of the Kamloops, a package freighter that went down in a storm and whose sailors were found on the Isle Royale the following spring, having escaped the wreck only to die of exposure on the island. Then there is the ill-fated Steinbrenner, plagued by bad luck from the time of her construction to her eventual sinking in 1953. These tales and more represent loss of life and property-and are haunting stories of brave and heroic crews.

Arranged chronologically and presented in three sections covering Minnesota's North Shore, Isle Royale, and the three biggest storms in Minnesota's Great Lakes history (the 1905 Mataafa storm, the 1913 hurricane on the lakes, and the 1940 Armistice Day storm), each shipwreck documented within provides a piece to the history of shipping on Lake Superior.

©2023 Michael Schumacher (P)2023 Tantor

Impressive!

Fascinating and amazing. The lake is fascinating and its power is amazing, as are the men and ships in the days before radar, satellites, communications such as we have now, better rescue techniques, and, sadly, better salvaging and diving capabilities. This book demonstrates impeccable research and deep respect for those who man the ships of the great lakes, especially those who never came home. It is also very well written and absorbing.

I love and am in awe of Lake Superior and the Duluth port. Besides that I geek history, sailing ships and more. And two of the Cleveland grandkids participated in something called Shipwreck camp!
I requested and received an epub as well as an Adobe Digital Editions (the better to see the photos) EARC from University of Minnesota Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
I have also pre-ordered a print copy from a bookstore in Duluth, but it walked away to Cleveland with #3 Son, so I bought the audio for myself and found the perfect voice actor!

Great narration and subjects

missing in depth look into more of the shipwrecks. some of the jumping around in timeline makes it a bit harder to follow.