P-2: Great Lakes Storm of 1913

It was the deadliest storm to ever hit the Great Lakes ... the "Storm of the Century" ... and it tragically claimed more than 270 lives. The "White Hurricane" came with a blizzard and sent 12 ships to their watery graves in November of 1913. With blinding snow and 35-ft. waves, some vessels got caught in the "Big Blow", never to return to their loved ones. Beyond the immense tragedy left behind in the wake of the Great Storm, there were several eerie stories that came out on the other side. For instance, how did the Chief Engineer off the Charles S. Price wash ashore with an SS Regina lifejacket on? Or, how is it that John Thompson, a crew member on the James Carruthers, showed up at his own funeral? Who was the guy in the casket? Join me, the History Mystery Man, and Captain Darrell Walton as we share more incredible stories from the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Thanks for your support!

[@chadnevels246]

Am I the only one who clicks on the 👍before I've watched a entire History Mystery Man video having anything to do with the Great Lakes?

[@tmayer0009]

I do the same

[@bowslap]

The only one? Not by a long shot!

[@nw8000]

No sir

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thank you gentlemen; I appreciate you guys sooo much! HMM

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

Me too! Even before I see it, I know it’ll be great!

[@garymckee8857]

I have nothing but respect for the individuals who sail the Great Lakes. Thanks 👍

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Gary...HMM

[@nw8000]

What a fantastic Orator

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Captain D. is amazing...thanks for watching! HMM

[@MissTerri207]

Think of ANY dry history lecture you've ever had to endure, then compare that to Captain Walton. Both of you gentlemen are Real history teachers! The good Captain reminds me of my beloved late father. ❤ (Retired English Lit teacher here)

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks! Capt. D is an amazing storyteller and history teacher. Thanks for watching...HMM

[@amyk.labonte1364]

I am a huge fan of Captain Darrell

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Me too...amazing storyteller. HMM@@amyk.labonte1364

[@georgeadams8230]

I love to see the history of the great lakes and the stories of the men who made their living on the lakes, thanks for posting.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome George; thanks for your support. Stop by anytime...HMM

[@robertayers9424]

Amazing stories! I hopefully, will not be able to walk into my own funeral. Thanks again!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Well...the silver lining is...if you walk into your own funeral, you're still kickin! Thanks again, ole friend...HMM

[@ronniedill2754]

My father and I love cap D and now we want to take a 14 hour road trip to go the Great Lakes museum and see the bell. We also would love to be able to share a drink with the man who has given us so many memories together watching him, the great Captain Darell Walton! If it’s ever possible pops and I would love to meet him and thank him for all of the wonderful memories he’s created between the two of us with his incredible story telling capability as well as his solicitous personality! We love you HMM and CPT D you two have given us so many memories together whenever I travel from ct to Nj to see pops this is the first thing we do together, watch these videos . Thank you hmm again for making this possible!😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Ronnie. If you're coming all his way, let us know ahead of time...possibly, something could be arranged with Capt. D. Thanks again...HMM

[@PilotJasonUSA]

The knowledge in the room when these 2 captains get to talking is impressive. Thank you caps, given the subject matter - glad you made it safely off the big lakes. Thank you for helping keep alive the memory of those that did not and educating and entertaining us at the same time.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks kindly. Words like yours help keep me inspired to keep going. HMM

[@chuckg6039]

A very interesting video Don and Darrell. I just can't help but think how much safer and more conservative Great Lakes shipping is today .....compared to the mid 1970s. And even more so compared to the early 1900s when tons more ships were plying the lakes. The feeling of complete and total helplessness these sailors must have felt during the height of the 1913 Storm. RIP to all the brave men and woman who suffered or perished during this most terrible time. So many families were impacted.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yeah...I think about that a lot...being out there in the 70s. I started just three years after the Fitz went down...had no idea what I was getting into. It didn't take long to find out. Glad it's over, but glad I did it. Thanks again Chuck...see you at the races. HMM

[@chuckg6039]

My first race Don will probably be Lets Race Two at Eldora May 3 or 4. World of Outlaw Sprints. I'll pick the better weather between the two nights.@@HistoryMysteryMan

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Just might see you there! HMM@@chuckg6039

[@tmayer0009]

Awesome! Thanks HMM, love these historical videos about the ships 🚢 and their crew. Love listening to you and Captain Darrell! Keep them coming please.❤

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again...we appreciate your support! HMM

[@bowslap]

The only way this could be more enjoyable would be to join both of you in such a conversation over a meal at the Lockview Restaurant up in the Soo(listening rather than talking on my part)….these truly ARE conversations rather than mere interviews, part of what makes these Great Lakes series with Capt Walton so captivating. Keep ‘em coming, Don!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, bowslap. Your comments help keep me inspired to keep going. Never been to the Lockview Restaurant, but I like the idea; I'm really good at eating too. I'm actually planning a trip to Whitefish Point in 2024 that would include a run through the Soo...then over to Duluth and Superior. HMM

[@michaelnault5905]

Maybe the storm of more than that century. Great video! Again!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yeah...we haven't seen anything like it since. Thanks again, Michael. HMM

[@huntm7592]

I can relate to swing the brass in the air and having to back the throttles back then powering into the next wave. We went thur a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico on a 75’ wooded long line boat when I was 24 was a hell of ride.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That ride sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your stories here. Bet you were glad to put your feet back on shore! Thanks for your interest...HMM

[@Peter.w]

Another great episode with you and Captain Dan fantastic!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Peter...we appreciate it. HMM

[@beberle9641]

Hey we all appreciate the HMM and his hard work 👍🤠 Brian

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Brian! HMM

[@beberle9641]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Your so kind and that is what we all need to be like in these times we live in if we plan to keep existing. Can you believe it the Daytona 500 is fast approaching 🏁👍🤠 Brian

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Brian...compliments like yours keep me going. And the Clash at the Coliseum this weekend! Bring on the 500...HMM@@beberle9641

[@beberle9641]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Man it has been along time since we lost Dale.

[@bluerazor7049]

A century and a decade later..it still sends chills down my spine every time I read or listen to it! I first learned about November's Fury from the old 'Deep Six' documentary! It would be interesting if you and Captain Darrell talked about the Cedarville and it's tragic end near the Mackinac Bridge by the Topdalsfjord!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

That's a great idea. Captain D. mentioned that boat once or twice. I'm going to dig up some info on the Cedarville! HMM

[@p.k.5455]

Nope, especially if Captain Darrell is on it. It means an instant 👍 and I'm busy until it's over. Then I can't wait till the next one. Thank you Mystery man and, The awesome Captain Darrell for another great video! I'd so love to sit around a bar table with you guys and just listen to your stories!!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'm game for the bar table! I probably wouldn't say much; we can just turn Captain D. loose...kick back and take it all in. Thanks again! HMM

[@Ohiotrucker1]

Good afternoon Captain.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Afternoon...thanks for checking back in. HMM

[@rileybridgham1963]

Love hearing you guys talk, the history is so interesting.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Riley...always appreciated. HMM

[@danielmcfadden1]

All those ships going down, just crazy! “Who’s the dude in the coffin?” Haha, I get some laughs with Captain Darrell every time I watch these videos! Another awesome job fellas, I sure enjoy your videos!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Daniel; we always appreciate your feedback! HMM

[@RAV1953]

Thank you HMM & Captain Darrell! You guys are the best!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again; we appreciate you! HMM

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

I love listening to you guys.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...so appreciated! HMM

[@kathleen5678]

I’m looking forward to visiting the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum this summer. So much history there. Thank you for sharing ❤this history.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Kathleen. Toledo is a great little town...my hometown. The renovation on the east side of the Maumee River (where the museum is) is off-the-charts amazing. HMM

[@critterscute3642]

Such great storytelling and Captain Darrell’s details about handling the situation with skill made me feel like I was there! And pilfering from sailors bodies…I never considered it could (and did) happen. So disturbing. But on the plus side, I’m having a premonition there will be more of these exceptional videos to come! Thanks HMM and Captain Darrell. Another great video! ❤

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Capt. D is an amazing storyteller and historian on the subject. We should start a Podcast. Thanks for your continued support; we appreciate you! HMM

[@donmcnally9063]

Great as always Don! Can't imagine how you worked all those years on the lakes! My short time on a LPH while serving in the Marines was enough for me!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Don. Yeah, I'm glad I did it. I still get the urge to do it again. Thanks for your service as a US Marine! #MuchRespect HMM

[@elroyelblander6277]

👍👍 the 1913 storm is a very intriguing story.. must've been a god awful terrifying situation for them all...love listening to you and Mr.Walton discuss this history.. thanks again..see ya next time 👍👍👊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Elroy...always appreciated. I can't imagine going through the 1913 storm of the century. Much respect for all those mariners. HMM

[@elroyelblander6277]

@@HistoryMysteryMan 👍👍👊

[@Blrtech77]

Another Amazing Video! Thanks HMM and Captain Walton.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome; thanks for taking the time to watch! HMM

[@guitarfreak521]

I hope Captain Walton writes a book. 😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

I'd read that book! Thanks guitarfreak...HMM

[@TheClintmeister]

These stories are so interesting, please keep telling them!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks for your encouragement...so helpful. HMM

[@BigAl38]

Love these guys watch every video 2 /3 times love the knowledge they have about the ships of the lakes Really want to visit the great lakes one day the biggest one here is Lough Neagh

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks! I had to Google Lough Neagh...never knew the lake existed, so thanks for that. The Great Lakes are amazing! We often take them for granted here...the largest body of fresh water in the world (outside of our Poles). Thanks for your feedback...all the way from Ireland! #Honored HMM

[@bfields43ify]

This is such a great series. Please keep producing content.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...so appreciated. So often I scratch my head wondering why I commit most of my time to producing these videos...then encouraging comments like yours come in and help fuel me to make more. HMM

[@penelopejoann]

I try to imagine what it would have been like to be part of the crew on a freighter in 1913. The constant vigilance required during high seas. Never getting to break concentration, not even for a moment to sneeze, smoke, or spit. That’s what I call, white knuckling!!😮

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

If there were ever white-knucklers, the mariners of the 1913 Storm were the epitome of the white-knuckling trade. Thanks again, Penelope: I appreciate you...HMM

[@J.Runk81]

Thanks guys for another awesome video, you both are so damn cool!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks! We sooo appreicate that...HMM

[@bobvalentine8927]

Another awesome video. Lots of great history

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, my friend...HMM

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

I’ve heard that the Regina and Price wrecks are not near. And neither show any damage, but not entirely sure. I still can’t get over how the Price flipped so quickly that her bow was still floating. And on the cover of Michael Schumacher’s book on this storm the Regina is about to flip! And Ed Kanaby a Wheelsman on the Hawgood, said that he saw the Regina try to turn around and disappeared right before his eyes. That had to have been scary. Did anybody survive any of the ships that sunk? Thank you again guys! Can’t wait for the next ones!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, James. Of the 12 ships that went down, there were no survivors. However, there were survivors off the L.C. Waldo, which was stranded against the rocks, frozen for four days without food. All were rescued, even the ship's dog. Understood on the Regina and the Price about not being near. I wonder if they were at one time before each went down? HMM

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

@@HistoryMysteryMan thanks! And in the song The Wheelsman by Dan Hall he mentions both the Price and Regina so maybe. There’s an interview out there of Kanaby, but who knows what ship he could’ve seen. Did you guys make the last video on the Waldo? The one where the chief engineer made a stove out of a bathtub. Amazing how they did that

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yep...our first movie on the Storm of 1913 had the story of the Waldo inside...thanks! HMM@@jamesmccarthy5086

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I loved that one and can’t wait to see what else you guys have in store!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Stand by!@@jamesmccarthy5086

[@YouShallBeTrolled]

Wow seems like the great lake videos are doing very well. Keep them coming!!!! I googled how many people live near the great lakes and it's 34 million so alot od people are interested in things like these

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks...we appreciate you. Yes indeed...lots of people in the region of the Great Lakes take an interest. And...so many people around the world are paying attention too. We hear from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, etc. HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Thank you HMM. Been waiting for part 2, and it was worth the wait. Any chance there's a part 3? Keep doing what your doing, your the best!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Roger. I have more video clips for some additional stuff from this particular sit-down with Captain D...but we keep winding back to the Mighty Fitz. HMM

[@ricksadler797]

Thank you. Great video

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Rick; thanks for taking the time to watch. HMM

[@kimfleury]

That bit about the people pilfering the bodies washed ashore - it happened near Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. I'm trying to recall the source where I got the info - probably the Sarnia Observer newspaper, but I don't know if the article is still in the archives available online. It talked about an immigrant community from the British Isles. I want to say Penzance, because that's what these people did. Apparently in certain areas of the British Isles, like Penzance, the people were so isolated and impoverished that this kind of piracy was their main source of income and goods. They honestly did not comprehend that others found it to be desecration of the dead. They were new to Canada, and this was the first shipwreck crew that had washed ashore near their farms. If you think about being as isolated as they were in their homeland, with no way to get goods by ship because of the rocks and reefs, and no trucking or trains, basically zero distribution infrastructure, you might start thinking of wrecked ships and drowned crews as a godsend for your survival. But if course it's different on the Great Lakes because there are ports in so many places, and trains, and even in 1913 there were decent enough highways that every community had access to sufficient resources, even if it was brought by horse and cart. It sounds like the legal authorities in the Sarnia area understood where those new immigrants came from, so they didn't immediately go searching their homes. When they got wind of what happened, they issued the warning, and items began appearing on the beach overnight, laid with bodies, even put on them as if they'd been wearing them when they washed ashore. Captain Darrell is right, the government put out the notice that anyone discovered with items from the bodies would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and that ended the grave rubbing. It's just one of the fascinating stories within the larger story of the storm.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yeah...the whole grave robbing thing is beyond bizarre. I wouldn't have the stomach for it...and stolen items would forever haunt me. I didn't know that about Sarnia. I have spent a lot of time in Sarnia over the years...we used to unload or load oil over there...went ashore a lot. Thanks again, Kim. HMM

[@gayprepperz6862]

My opinion, and this is only my opinion, is that people were stripping the bodies, and then in a rush not to be caught and prosecuted, started replacing life jackets on bodies so as not to be caught and charged. Trying to rescue others in that violent storm while their own ship was struggling not to be swamped in a hurricane just seems nigh impossible. Just one man's opinion.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Maybe just one man's opinion, but one that makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks again...for sharing your thoughts here. Stop by anytime! HMM

[@gayprepperz6862]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Thank you.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome!@@gayprepperz6862

[@ZAV1944]

I think the Price arguably became the poster ship of the Gale of 1913 due to the photos showing her floating upside down(Which testified to the raw power and destruction the storm wrought), the mystery as to her identity in the immediate after math of the storm, and the life belt mystery.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Super interesting. The Price's story is very compelling; I can certainly see your point of view in her role as the poster ship of '13. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here...and thanks for watching. HMM

[@banterwebb]

It's alleged that people near kincardine are diving a wreck around 500 feet long. If it's true it's most likely the carruthers. Nobody giving the coordinates but I've heard it a few times.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Whoa! Now that's interesting; thanks for sharing that here. If the object is 500 feet, it's got to be the Carruthers. If you find out anything else, please let me know...thanks! HMM

[@mustangmike4078]

I'm curious as to what and where the Schoonmaker was during the storm. We know she made it through. Tied up somewhere or maybe at anchor. Or was she out there doing battle?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Yeah...there's a story there. I have heard that the Schoonmaker was absolutely out there during the storm; this would be worth investigating. Thanks again, MustangMike. HMM

[@joshua4960]

Uncle jesse!!!!!!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Ha! That's funny! HMM

[@user-vn8jp2iw7z]

NIICE.....OLE SEA CAPT TELLS OF GHOST SHIPS...mark it ...On halloween make a ghost story ship wreck and of course Edmund fizgerald too THAT s a ghost story too like Wreck spotted with door open....But who? Blunt force trauma??? Sinking THEN WOOSH SECOND WAVE DONE HER ??