Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2021 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= NOTICE TO USERS - These files are protected by the The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Information contained herein is provided for research purposes and may be freely linked to. Copying for redistribution or presentation by any person, persons or organization is not allowed without the written permission of the author/submitter. Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: S. R. Kirby OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: 116325 DATE OF LOSS: 8 May 1916 CAUSE OF LOSS: Foundered LOCATION: Lake Superior, about 8 miles n. of Eagle Harbor, MI RIG TYPE: Steamer HULL TYPE: Composite BUILDER: Detroit Dry Dock, 1890 OWNER(S): North Western Transportation Co. MASTER: Capt. David Gerardin TONNAGE: 2338.00 gt 1823.00 nt DIMENSIONS: 294 x 42 x 21 CASUALTIES: 20 of 22 Downbound with coal and the barge HARTWELL in tow when the S. R. KIRBY suddenly broke and went down. Initial reports said the KIRBY hit Sawtooth Reef, but accounts of survivors claimed she just crumpled, broke and quickly sank. Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 12 August 1916 "A strange prank of the Great Lakes was responsible for the loss, according to evidence furnished mostly by the crew of the tow barge which the KIRBY was hauling. No storm was raging and the wind came up with surprising suddenness in the middle of the day. "The hatches of the KIRBY were closed and the affair was considered so lightly that Capt. Girardin had left the bridge in charge of the mate and had gone below. Suddenly a great wave came over the port bow, submerging the deck, and by its weight tipping the stern of the ship high in the air. "Before the KIRBY could right itself a second wave followed and as the boat stood poised with its after h*** clear out of the water a third wave caught it from beneath. For thirty seconds it stood motionless and then plunged to the bottom. The barge was saved by the breaking of the tow rope as the KIRBY sank." List of lost crew: Girardin, David, Jr., master, Detroit Douglass, Elmer M., mate, Detroit Weston, John, wheelman, Chicago Powers, Robert, wheelman, Detroit Flodine, Louis, watchman, Lanso, Pa. Blassdell, Lyle, watchman, Detroit Peterson, Ansel, deck hand, Erie, Pa Rydolph, Elmer, deck hand, Superior, Wis. Thort, Robert, deck hand, Superior, Wis Winger, William, coal passer, Duluth, Minn. Casey, Frank, coal passer, Chicago Smith, Sylvester, chief engineer, Marine City, Mich Smith, Rallph B., second engineer, Marine City, Mich Ripple, Anthony, oiler, Marine City, Mich. Bollean, Henry, oiler, Marine City, Mich. Heath, Burt, fireman, Marine City, Mich. Heath, Ward, fireman, Marine City, Mich. Zuger, Herman, fireman, Hoboken, N.J. Martin, Harry, steward, Harrow, Ont. Anderson, Alf., second cook, Superior, Wis. ======================================================================== Sources: Merchant Vessel List - 1916 (losses) Merchant Vessel List - 1895, 1896 Milwaukee Journal - 9 & 12 May 1916 Detroit Free Press - 10 May 1916