So Terrible a Storm: A Tale of Fury on Lake Superior

In late November of 1905 a powerful gale struck Lake Superior, mangling dozens of ships and taking the lives of some 36 people.  This engaging book tells that story, paying particular attention to the fate of the ore carrier Mataafa, which was wrecked just outside Duluth harbor during the height of the storm.  Depsite being so close to land - Mataafa sailors could see people running around on the beach and lighting bonfires - the weather prevented a succesful rescue until it was too late for the freezing men trapped on the ship's stern.

 

Fans of Erik Larson or Sebastian Junger may enjoy this well-researched story of sailors fighting for their lives on the greatest of the inland seas.