12/04/2025
The SS Carl D. Bradley was a Great Lakes freighter that met a tragic end in one of the most infamous maritime disasters on Lake Michigan. Here's a comprehensive look at the incident:
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SS Carl D. Bradley – Ship Overview
Type: Self-unloading lake freighter
Built: 1927, by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio
Operated by: Michigan Limestone Division of U.S. Steel
Homeport: Rogers City, Michigan
Length: 639 feet (the longest ship on the Great Lakes at the time of her sinking)
Cargo Capacity: Over 14,000 tons of limestone
Nickname: “Queen of the Lakes” (held the title for 22 years)
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The Disaster
Date: November 18, 1958
Location: Northern Lake Michigan, near Gull Island
Voyage Details:
Had finished unloading limestone at Gary, Indiana
Was headed back to Rogers City, mostly in ballast (empty)
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What Happened
1. Weather Conditions: The ship sailed into a severe November storm with gale-force winds (up to 65 mph) and waves over 20 feet high.
2. Structural Failure: At around 5:30 PM, the vessel suddenly broke in two.
The hull cracked just aft of the cargo hold, near the aft cabin.
The ship’s old age and previous stress fractures were believed to contribute.
3. Rapid Sinking:
The bow section stayed afloat briefly, but the stern section sank quickly with the wheelhouse and crew.
A mayday was transmitted before communication was lost.
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Casualties
Total crew: 35 (mostly from Rogers City)
Survivors: Only 2 (Elmer Fleming and Frank Mays, rescued after 14 hours in a liferaft)
Deaths: 33
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Rescue Efforts
US Coast Guard responded, along with nearby merchant vessels.
Despite the cold, darkness, and high seas, some debris and survivors were located.
Survivors were found clinging to a raft in freezing temperatures, suffering from hypothermia and exhaustion.
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Investigation and Findings
The U.S. Coast Guard concluded:
The ship broke in two due to structural failure caused by years of stress, metal fatigue, and rough sea conditions.
Lack of internal support and possible brittleness in the steel used contributed.
Hull inspections had noted cracks in previous years, but the ship had not been retired or reinforced.
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Aftermath
Profound impact on Rogers City, Michigan:
23 of the 33 crew lost were from this small town.
The tragedy devastated the community and is still remembered annually.
Monuments and Memorials:
Carl D. Bradley Memorial in Rogers City
Annual bell-ringing ceremony for the lost sailors
Legacy in Great Lakes Shipping:
Prompted more rigorous inspections
Raised awareness of aging freighter risks, especially in the rough conditions of late fall on the Great Lakes
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In Popular Culture
Documentaries, books, and survivor accounts (especially by Frank Mays) have kept the memory of the disaster alive.
Sometimes referred to alongside the Edmund Fitzgerald as one of the greatest Great Lakes tragedies.