SS Emperor

{{ Infobox ship image

| Ship image = The Emperor in the St. Marys River.jpg

| Ship caption = Emperor downbound in the St. Clair River on May 5, 1939

}}

{{Infobox ship career

| Ship header =

| Ship name = Emperor

| Ship nickname = The Pride of Canada

| Ship country = Canada

| Ship flag = 60px

| Ship operator = * Inland Lines, Ltd. (1911–1913)

Canada Steamship Lines (1913–1947)

| Ship ordered =

| Ship registry = Midland, Ontario

| Ship builder = Collingwood Shipbuilding Company, Collingwood, Ontario

| Ship yard number = 28

| Ship laid down =

| Ship launched = December 17, 1910

| Ship completed = April 1911

| Ship identification = Canadian official number 126654

| Ship acquired =

| Ship maiden voyage = May 3, 1911

| Ship in service =

| Ship out of service = June 4, 1947

| Ship fate = Sank on Lake Superior

| Ship notes = }}

{{ Infobox ship characteristics

| Ship header =

| Header caption =

| Ship class = Lake freighter

| Ship tonnage = * {{GRT|7031}}

{{NRT|5048}}

| Ship length = * {{convert|525|ft|m|1}} LOA

{{convert|504|ft|m|1}} LBP

| Ship beam = {{convert|56.1|ft|m|1}}

| Ship depth = {{convert|31|ft|m|1}} (moulded)

| Ship draught = {{convert|27|ft|m|1}}

| Ship power = * Engine:

1 × {{convert|2200|hp|lk=on|abbr=on}} 82 rpm triple expansion steam engine
Boilers:
2 × {{convert|180|psi|lk=on}} Scotch marine boilers

| Ship propulsion = 1 × fixed pitch propeller

| Ship speed = {{convert|10|kn|lk=in}} (nominal)

| Ship capacity = {{convert|10000|LT|t|0|lk=on}}

| Ship crew =

| Ship notes =

}}

{{Collapsed infobox section begin|National Register of Historic Places data}}

{{ Infobox NRHP

| embed = yes

| name = Emperor

| nrhp_type =

| image =

| caption =

| location = North side of Canoe Rocks, on the northeast end of Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

| coordinates = {{coord|48|12|2|N|88|29|30|W}}

| locmapin = Michigan#USA

| built = 1910

| architect = Collingwood Shipbuilding Company

| architecture = Freighter

| added = June 14, 1984

| area = {{convert|91.8|acre}}

| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000334|title=Shipwrecks of Isle Royale National Park TR}}

| refnum = 84001748

}}

SS Emperor was a steel-hulled Canadian lake freighter in service between 1911 and 1947. She was built between 1910 and April 1911 by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company in Collingwood, Ontario, for Inland Lines, Ltd., of Midland, Ontario. She entered service on May 3, 1911. Emperor was sold to Canada Steamship Lines of Montreal, Quebec. Under the ownership of Canada Steamship Lines, she carried a wide variety of cargoes, but most frequently iron ore to Point Edward, Ontario, where it would be transported to Hamilton, Ontario, by train. After the opening of the fourth Welland Canal, Emperor carried the ore directly to Hamilton. She was involved in several accidents throughout her career.

After discharging a cargo of coal in Fort William, Ontario, on June 3, 1947, Emperor headed to Port Arthur, Ontario, where she loaded {{convert|10264|LT|ST t|0|lk=on}} of iron ore bound for Ashtabula, Ohio. She left Port Arthur at 10:55{{nbsp}}p.m. (EST). The weather was clear, and visibility was good. At midnight, Captain Eldon Walkinshaw handed over watch duties to first mate James A. Morrey. Emperor ran hard aground on Canoe Rocks, on the northeast point of Isle Royale shortly before 4:15{{nbsp}}a.m. on June 4. She sank in between 20 and 35 minutes. Twelve of her crew were killed, while the 21 survivors were picked up by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Kimball.

Emperor{{'}}s wreck is the most recent, and second largest shipwreck of Isle Royale, surpassed only by the freighter Chester A. Congdon, which also wrecked on Canoe Rocks. The wreck rests in {{convert|25|to|175|ft|m|1}}. Her bow lies partially broken up in shallow water, while her stern is intact and in deeper water. The wreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and has become a popular site for recreational divers.

History

=Background=

In 1843, the gunship USS Michigan, built in Erie, Pennsylvania, became the first iron-hulled vessel built on the Great Lakes.{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962a|p=24}} In the mid-1840s, Canadian companies began importing iron vessels prefabricated by shipyards in the United Kingdom. The first iron-hulled merchant ship built on the Great Lakes, Merchant, was constructed in 1862.{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962a|p=24}} Despite the success of Merchant, wooden vessels remained preferable to iron ones until the 1880s, due to their lower cost and the abundance of timber.{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962a|p=26}}{{sfnp|Bowlus|2010|p=85}}{{sfnp|Thompson|1994|p=32}} In the early 1880s, shipyards around the Great Lakes began to construct iron ships on a relatively large scale.{{sfnp|Thompson|1994|p=32}}{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962b|p=48}} In 1884, the first steel freighters were built on the Great Lakes.{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962b|p=50}}{{sfnp|Thompson|1994|pp=40–42}} By the 1890s, the majority of ships constructed on the lakes were made of steel.{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962b|p=49}}{{sfnp|Bugbee|1962b|p=51}} The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a rapid increase in the size of lake freighters; the first {{convert|400|ft|m|1|adj=on}} freighter was built in 1895, the first {{convert|500|ft|m|1|adj=on}} freighter was constructed five years later.{{sfnp|Thompson|1994|pp=59–84}}

Throughout the 1880s, the iron ore trade on the Great Lakes grew exponentially, primarily due to the increasing size of the lake freighters, and the rise in the number of trips made by ore boats to the ore docks of Lake Superior.{{sfnp|National Park Service|2018|p=16}} As the railways were unable to keep up with the rapid production of iron ore, most of it was transported by bulk freighters.{{sfnp|National Park Service|2018|p=16}}

=Design and construction=

Emperor (Canadian official number 126654) was built in Collingwood, Ontario, between 1910 and 1911, by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}} She was launched into Collingwood harbour on December 17, 1910, as hull number 28; she was christened by James Playfair of Midland, Ontario. Emperor was built for the Playfair managed Inland Lines, Ltd. of Hamilton, Ontario.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}} Playfair was known to give the ships in his fleet names related to royalty.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}} Emperor was ready to go into commission in April 1911.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}} When she was completed, Emperor became the largest Canadian ship built to that date, earning her the nickname "The Pride of Canada".{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=403}} She was built exclusively for the iron ore trade.{{sfnp|Carrell|1983|p=27}}{{efn-la|Her size necessitated the lengthening of the wharf {{convert|200|ft|m|1}} south, and {{convert|60|ft|m|1}} west of the ore dock in Point Edward, Ontario.{{sfnp|British Whig|1911a}}|group=Note}}

File:Emperor construction.jpg

Built with an arch-and-web frame system designed to create an unobstructed cargo hold, Emperor had 30 cargo hatches. The hatches were {{convert|9|ft|m|1}} by {{convert|36|ft|m|1}} wide, and were placed {{convert|12|ft|m|1}} apart.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|Berry|2021}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World|1911a}} Emperor{{'}}s cargo hold was divided into five separate compartments, each with six hatches and a capacity of {{convert|2000|LT|t|0|lk=on}}; she had a total cargo capacity of {{convert|10000|LT|t|0}}. There was an ore chute at each hatch.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|American Publishers Company|1915|p=347}}{{sfnp|Osborn and Lange, Inc.|1939|p=145}} She was equipped with seven side-ballast and bilge tanks (each with a capacity of {{convert|5021|LT|t|0}}), which were connected with seven steel pipes.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}} The side and bottom tanks were not separated. This tank system enabled Emperor to quickly take on and discharge water.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World|1911b}} Emperor had 11 bulkheads. Her pilothouse, the captain's and mate's quarters were at the bow, while the crew's quarters were located at the stern. Emperor{{'}}s engine room was {{convert|67|ft|m|1}} in length.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World|1911b}}

The hull of Emperor had an overall length of {{convert|525|ft|m|1}}, and a length between perpendiculars of {{convert|504|ft|m|1}}.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Berry|2021}}{{sfnp|American Publishers Company|1915|p=346}}{{sfnp|Herriman|1922|p=38}} Her beam was {{convert|56.1|ft|m|1}} (some sources state {{convert|56|ft|m|1}}) wide.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|Bowling Green State University|2021}}{{sfnp|Herriman|1922|p=38}}{{sfnp|Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library|2021}} The moulded depth (roughly speaking, the vertical height of Emperor{{'}}s hull) was {{convert|31|ft|m|1}}. Her maximum draught was {{convert|27|ft|m|1}}.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World|1911a}} Emperor had a gross register tonnage of 7,031 and a net register tonnage of 5,408.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|Herriman|1922|p=38}}

Emperor was powered by a {{convert|2200|hp|lk=on|abbr=on}} 82 rpm triple-expansion steam engine; the cylinders of the engine were {{convert|23|in|cm|1}}, {{convert|38.5|in|cm|1}} and {{convert|63|in|cm|1}} in diameter, and had a stroke of {{convert|42|in|cm|1}}.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Berry|2021}}{{sfnp|Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library|2021}} Steam for the engine was provided by two coal-fired, single-ended {{convert|180|psi|lk=on|adj=on}} {{convert|15.6|by|12|ft|m|1|adj=on}} Scotch marine boilers.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|Herriman|1922|p=38}}{{sfnp|Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library|2021}} The engine and boilers were both built by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company. Emperor had a registered nominal speed of {{convert|10|kn|lk=in}}.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{efn-la|By the time Emperor sank, her usual speed when loaded was {{convert|11|kn|lk=in}}.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}|group=Note}}

=Service history=

File:Emperor ship.jpg

Emperor was accepted by Inland Lines, Ltd. after she ran her sea trials in Georgian Bay off Collingwood.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}} She commenced her maiden voyage on May 3, 1911, sailing upbound, without cargo.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Berry|2021}} While upbound on Lake Huron on May 17, Emperor broke her propeller shaft in Thunder Bay.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}} She was towed to DeTour, Michigan, by the package freighter Superior, after which she was towed to Port Arthur, Ontario, for repairs.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=175}}{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911a|p=235}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World (3)|1911}} On June 16, 1911, the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company, Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec, acquired a controlling interest in Inland Lines, Ltd.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}

On October 18, 1911, Emperor was bound from Fort William, Ontario, for Midland with 310,000 bushels of wheat.{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911b|p=424}}{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1911}}{{sfnp|British Whig|1911b}} While anchoring below the Canadian lock at the Soo Locks, Emperor overrode her anchor, tore a hole in her bow and sank into {{convert|20|ft|m|1}} of water {{convert|400|ft|m|1}} below the lower entry. Her stern went against the north pier, while her bow swung {{convert|100|ft|m|1}} into the channel, blocking it.{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911b|p=424}}{{sfnp|British Whig|1911b}}{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1911}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World (4)|1911}} She was raised on May 19, and after temporary repairs were made, she taken to Midland.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911b|p=424}}{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1911}} Emperor{{'}}s captain, George Pearson said:

I was not on the bast at the time of the accident, the steamer being temporarily in charge of the first mate. It is usual for a steamer leaving the lock to give a sharp blast, indicating to the canal crew that all is in readiness for the flood. In this case the flood was forced. As soon as the gates were opened the force of the water parted the lines of the steamer, causing her to leave the canal at high speed. The mate ordered an anchor dropped. The water at this point was not sufficiently deep to override the anchor, with the result that it was hit by the steamer and tore a hole in her bottom.{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1911}}{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911a|p=424}}

A court inquiry conducted in Collingwood by Dominion Wreck Commissioner L. A. Demmers determined that the canal employees were to blame for the sinking, as they flooded the lock without checking if Emperor was ready.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911a|p=424}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World (5)|1911}} The court further stated that it believed it was "customary for the master of a vessel to sound one blast of the whistle as a signal to the canal authorities to begin flooding", also adding that it "thinks it is extremely necessary that masters of all vessels should have copies of the regulations governing the operation of locks and canals".{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|The Marine Review|1911a|p=424}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World (5)|1911}} Emperor{{'}}s officers were acquitted of any wrongdoing, with the blame being placed on a watchman who "happened to be a deck hand, and therefore irresponsible".{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|The Railway and Marine World (5)|1911}}

File:The Emperor in Little Rapids Cut.jpg]]

In 1913, the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company, Ltd. was merged into the newly formed, Montreal-based Canada Transportation Company, Ltd., the name of which was almost immediately changed to Canada Steamship Lines.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Berry|2021}}{{sfnp|Bowling Green State University|2021}} While under the ownership of Canada Steamship Lines, Emperor carried a wide variety of cargoes, but mainly carried iron ore to Point Edward, Ontario, which was then taken to the steel mills of Hamilton, Ontario, by train.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}

While bound for a Lake Superior port, Emperor ran aground on Pointe aux Pins on the north shore of Lake Erie, on the morning of May 29, 1914.{{sfnp|Amherstburg Echo|1914|p=84}} She was pulled off the next day by the tugs Hackett and James Reid.{{sfnp|Amherstburg Echo|1914|p=84}} On October 29, 1926, Emperor ran aground near Mackinaw City, Michigan, on Major Shoal. She was freed at 16:00{{nbsp}}p.m., after jettisoning {{convert|886|LT|ST t|}} of iron ore.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}} Sometime before 1932, Emperor reportedly ran aground on an unknown object near Michipicoten Island, while on her way to Fort William.{{sfnp|Toronto Telegram|1932}}

File:Emperor after losing her rudder.jpg

While bound for the lakehead with {{convert|8858|LT|ST t}} of coal on the night of November 24, 1936, Emperor encountered a heavy storm. While she was between Passage Island and Lamb Island, she lost her rudder.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Toronto Telegram|1936a}}{{sfnp|Toronto Telegram|1936b}} Emperor spent November 25 drifting in the storm.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Gillham|1972}} The tug James Whalen was sent to aid Emperor. However, before she arrived, the canaller Renvoyle arrived on the scene and towed Emperor to Fort William.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Gillham|1972}} One of Emperor{{'}}s deckhands was swept overboard in the storm, and drowned.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Toronto Telegram|1936a}}{{sfnp|Toronto Telegram|1936b}}{{sfnp|Gillham|1972}}

On May 4, 1937, Emperor was bound from Port Weller, Ontario, for Hamilton with a cargo of iron ore she loaded in Ashland, Wisconsin.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}} Conditions on Lake Ontario were foggy, which caused Emperor to miss the port turn, which would then have put her on a course to the piers of the Burlington Canal at the entrance to Hamilton harbour.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}} However, she carried on, eventually running aground near Bronte, Ontario, at 11:00{{nbsp}}p.m.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}} The tug Rival and barge Londonderry arrived from Kingston, Ontario, to free her. After a portion of Emperor{{'}}s cargo was removed, she was refloated on May 6, having sustained hardly any damage.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}

In the spring of 1940, Emperor{{'}}s first mate James A. Morrey fell overboard from one of the bridge wings. He sustained no serious injuries.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}

=Final voyage=

After unloading a cargo of coal in Fort William on June 3, 1947, Emperor headed to the Canadian National Railway ore dock in Port Arthur, where she loaded {{convert|10264|LT|ST t}} of iron ore from the Steep Rock Mine. The loading of the ore took six to seven hours.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}} She left Port Arthur for Ashtabula, Ohio, at 10:55{{nbsp}}p.m. (EST), under the command of Captain Eldon Walkinshaw. Two of her 35–man crew were left behind at Fort William.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=181}} She had a draught of {{convert|21.3|ft|m|1}} at the bow, and {{convert|21.9|ft|m|1}} at the stern.{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}}{{sfnp|Thompson|2004|p=76}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=177}} The weather was clement; there was little wind, and visibility was good.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=176}}{{sfnp|Lee|1970|p=44}} At midnight, Walkinshaw handed over watch duties to first mate Morrey, who had supervised the loading of the iron ore.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Thompson|2004|p=77}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=177}} Shortly before 4:15{{nbsp}}a.m., Emperor crashed into Canoe Rocks, on the northeast point of Isle Royale, and broke in two.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}}{{sfnp|Thompson|2004|p=76}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=177}}

File:Emperor pilothouse.jpg

About 10 minutes after Emperor struck Canoe Rocks, Walkinshaw gave the order to abandon ship. By that time, she had developed a serious list.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=179}} The starboard lifeboat was successfully launched, but was leaking due to the absence of a bilge plug.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=178}} The port boat capsized when it was sucked under by Emperor as she sank.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|pp=178–179}} The night steward claimed that Emperor{{'}}s boilers exploded during the sinking.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=179}} She sank in between 20 and 35 minutes.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=177}} The United States Coast Guard Cutter Kimball, which was maintaining navigation lights in the vicinity of Blake Point, intercepted an SOS signal from Emperor and arrived on the scene in 35 minutes.{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=178}}{{sfnp|Johnston|1956|p=7}} After Kimball transported the 21 survivors and the body of cook Evelyn Schultz to Fort William, she travelled back to the wreck to search for survivors and bodies.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=180}} Canada Steamship Lines also chartered the excursion boat Coastal Queen to assist in the search. However, bad weather prevented diver E. J. Fowler, who was on board Coastal Queen from reaching the wreck.{{sfnp|Toronto Marine Historical Society|1986}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|pp=181–185}}

==Investigation==

The investigation into Emperor{{'}}s sinking proved to be difficult, as Walkinshaw, Morrey, and helmsman J. Prokup all died.{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=403}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=181}}{{sfnp|Johnston|1956|p=7}}{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1947}} An investigation carried out by the Department of Transport blamed Morrey, who they claimed "did not keep proper watch", for the sinking of Emperor.{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1947}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=183}} They determined that Morrey, who was meant to be on watch duty until 6:00{{nbsp}}a.m., was likely sleep deprived at the time of the grounding, and had not made the usual navigational checks Emperor would have required to pass safely between Isle Royale and Passage Island.{{sfnp|Thompson|2004|p=77}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=183}} The courts criticised the prevailing system "which required the First Mate to be in charge of the loading of the ship during the period when he should have been off duty, resulted in his becoming overly tired, suffering as he was from a lack of sleep".{{sfnp|Maritime History of the Great Lakes|1947}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=183}} Furthermore, Prokup, who was unacquainted with that part of Lake Superior, failed to detect the error in Emperor{{'}}s course.{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}} Also criticised were the usage of wooden lifeboats and the lack of lifeboat drills performed on board Emperor in 1947.{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=403}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|pp=183–184}} The Board of Investigation fully exonerated Captain Walkinshaw, stating that "under all the circumstances he did everything possible most promptly and efficiently". They also praised the captain and crew of Kimball for their rescue of the survivors.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=184}}

==Aftermath==

Emperor was the final and second–largest shipwreck to occur at Isle Royale. She was also the largest shipwreck to have occurred on Lake Superior since the loss of the freighter Chester A. Congdon in 1918, and the deadliest since the sinking of the canaller Kamloops in 1927, both also at Isle Royale.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|pp=184-185}}{{sfnp|Lee|1977|p=119}} The first dives to Emperor{{'}}s wreck took place on June 12, 1947. They were conducted by Fowler, who made a total of three, roughly 30 minute dives to the wreck.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=185}} In 1948, Canada Steamship Lines replaced Emperor with the freighter Burlington.{{sfnp|Labadie|Richards|1968|p=191}}

In 1975, sport divers from the Inland Divers Club of Duluth, Minnesota, discovered the preserved remains of a crew member near Emperor{{'}}s engine room and reported it to the National Park Service.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=185}} The body was missing its eyes, nose and arms from the elbow down. However, the clothes, facial features and hair all remained intact.{{sfnp|Bree|1988|pp=141–142}} In order to deter potential looters, the body was later reportedly sunk at the end of the stern by Canadian divers.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=185}}{{sfnp|Bree|1988|pp=141–142}} Soon after, the remains of one additional crew member were discovered resting on a bunk; the disposition of this body is unknown.{{sfnp|Bree|1988|pp=141–142}} Although unverified, several other bodies are reported to have been found.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=185}}

''Emperor'' wreck

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The wreck of Emperor rests in between {{convert|25|ft|m|1}} of water at the bow, and {{convert|175|ft|m|1}} of water at the stern, in two partially attached sections.{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=402}}{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}}{{sfnp|Harrington|1998|p=55}} The bow has sustained severe damage, mostly due to the impact of ice, while the stern is intact.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=313}}{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}} The bow section stretches from {{convert|25|ft|m|1}} at the bow's tip, down into about {{convert|80|ft|m|1}} of water, where the intact stern section starts.{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=313}}{{sfnp|Harrington|1998|p=54}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=404}} The bow section includes two 7,000 pound (3,175.1 kg) anchors, a windlass and chain locker, as well as five relatively intact cargo hatches.{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}}{{sfnp|Kohl|2005|p=404}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=314}} The stern features an intact and penetrable engine room, an intact mast, and a partially intact cabin.{{sfnp|Merryman|2021}}{{sfnp|Harrington|1998|p=54}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=315}} Emperor{{'}}s boilers are undamaged, proving the night steward's account of a boiler explosion false.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=317}} The roof on the port side of the cabin has partially collapsed, as the funnel (also present) fell on top of it with sufficient force to not only damage the roof, but also the bulkhead.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=317}} There are 17 intact cargo hatches aft of the break in the hull.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=313}} The propeller blades broke off as Emperor sank, leaving only the propeller hub and rudder.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=316}} Her cargo holds still contain her cargo of iron ore.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=314}} Wreckages from the canaller Dunelm which ran aground in 1910, but was freed, lies {{convert|100|yd|m|1}} east of Emperor{{'}}s bow.{{sfnp|Harrington|1998|p=54}}{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=312}}

Emperor{{'}}s wreck was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 12, 1984.{{NRISref|2009a}} Between 1980 and 1985, Emperor was the second-most popular shipwreck at Isle Royale National Park, behind the excursion steamer America.{{sfnp|Lenihan|1987|p=313}} However, as of 2009, she is Isle Royale's most frequently visited shipwreck, accounting for over 350 of the 1062 dives made to the wrecks in the park that year.{{sfnp|The Greenstone|2010|p=9}}

Notes

References

Sources

{{cite web |author = |year = 1915 |title = A Directory of Names, Pennant Numbers and Addresses of all Members of the Ship Masters' Association of the Great Lakes |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/122875/data?n=219 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = American Publishers Company |location = Norwalk, Ohio |ref = {{sfnref|American Publishers Company|1915}} }}
{{cite web |last = Berry |first = Sterling |year = 2021 |title = Emperor |url = https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/e/emperor |access-date = |publisher = Great Lakes Vessel Histories |location = Detroit, Michigan }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = British Whig (Kingston, ON), 10 Apr 1911 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/78855/data?n=199 |ref = CITEREFBritish_Whig1911a |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = British Whig |location = Kingston, Ontario }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = British Whig (Kingston, ON), 19 Oct 1911 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/79016/data?n=204 |ref = CITEREFBritish_Whig1911b |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = British Whig |location = Kingston, Ontario }}
{{cite book |last = Bowlus |first = W. Bruce |year = 2010 |title = Iron Ore Transport on the Great Lakes: The Development of a Delivery System to Feed American Industry |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nyGjHG1PaUEC&q=merchant&pg=PA109 |access-date = March 3, 2021 |publisher = McFarland & Company, Inc. |location = Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn = 978-0-786433-26-1 }}
{{cite book |last = Bree |first = Marlin |year = 1988 |title = In the Teeth of the Northeaster: A Solo Voyage on Lake Superior |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=q3_hAAAAMAAJ&q=emperor |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Marlor Press, Inc. |location = Saint Paul, Minnesota |isbn = 978-05-17564-49-3 }}
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{{cite web |author = |year = 2018 |title = Choctaw Shipwreck Site National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |url = https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mshda/mshda_shpo_20180824_nrhp_choctaw_shipwreck_630928_7.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190101002810/https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mshda/mshda_shpo_20180824_nrhp_choctaw_shipwreck_630928_7.pdf |ref = CITEREFNational_Park_Service2018 |access-date = December 31, 2018 |archive-date = January 1, 2019 |publisher = National Park Service |location = Washington D.C. }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1914 |title = Echo Soundings: Marine News of 1913-1914 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/115910/data?n=214 |ref = CITEREFAmherstburg_Echo1914 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Amherstburg Echo |location = Amherstburg, Ontario }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 2021 |title = Emperor |url = https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/item/434943 |ref = CITEREFBowling_Green_State_University2021 |access-date = November 29, 2021 |publisher = Bowling Green State University |location = Bowling Green, Ohio }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 2021 |title = Emperor (1911, Bulk Freighter) |url = https://greatlakeships.org/3666477/data?n=8 |ref = CITEREFAlpena_County_George_N._Fletcher_Public_Library2021 |access-date = November 29, 2021 |publisher = Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library |location = Alpena, Michigan }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = Emperor (Propeller), C126654, sunk, 18 Oct 1911 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/57966/data?n=203 |ref = CITEREFMaritime_History_of_the_Great_Lakes1911 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Maritime History of the Great Lakes |location = Ontario, Canada }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1947 |title = Emperor (Propeller), aground, 4 Jun 1947 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/60704/data?n=226 |ref = CITEREFMaritime_History_of_the_Great_Lakes1947 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Maritime History of the Great Lakes |location = Ontario, Canada }}
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{{cite web |author = |year = 1939 |title = Green's Marine Directory of the Great Lakes |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/65664/data?n=270 |ref = CITEREFOsborn_and_Lange,_Inc.1939 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Osborn and Lange, Inc. |location = Cleveland, Ohio }}
{{cite book |last = Harrington |first = Steve |year = 1998 |title = Divers Guide to Michigan |url = https://archive.org/details/diversguidetomic0000harr/page/55/mode/1up?q=emperor&view=theater |access-date = December 6, 2021 |publisher = Maritime Press & Great Lakes Diving Council, Inc. |location = St. Ignace, Michigan |isbn = 978-0-9624-6299-3 }}
{{cite web |last = Herriman |first = H. N. |year = 1922 |title = American Bureau of Shipping – Great Lakes Department |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/125232/data?n=238 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = American Bureau of Shipping |location = Cleveland, Ohio }}
{{cite web |last = Johnston |first = J. E. |year = 1956 |title = Telescope – Volume 5, Number 6 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/121878/data?n=285 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Great Lakes Model Shipbuilders' Guild |location = Detroit, Michigan }}
{{cite book |last = Kohl |first = Cris |year = 2005 |title = The 100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks – Volume II. |url = https://archive.org/details/100bestgreatlake0000kohl/page/402/mode/1up?q=emperor |access-date = November 29, 2021 |publisher = Seawolf Communications |location = West Chicago, Illinois |isbn = 978-0-9679-9766-7 }}
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{{cite web |last = Lee |first = Robert E. |year = 1970 |title = Telescope – Volume 19, Number 2 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/122671/data?n=288 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Great Lakes Maritime Institute |location = Detroit, Michigan }}
{{cite web |last = Lee |first = Robert E. |year = 1977 |title = Telescope – Volume 26, Number 5 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/122720/data?n=295 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Great Lakes Maritime Institute |location = Detroit, Michigan }}
{{cite web |last = Lenihan |first = Daniel J. |year = 1987 |title = Submerged Cultural Resources Study: Isle Royale National Park |url = https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1635/upload/ISRO_139_D34_-26687.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717214456/https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1635/upload/ISRO_139_D34_-26687.pdf |access-date = November 28, 2021 |archive-date = July 17, 2023 |publisher = National Park Service |location = Washington D.C. |url-status = dead }}
{{cite web |last = Merryman |first = Ken |year = 2021 |title = Emperor |url = http://www.superiortrips.com/Emperor_Shipwreck.htm |access-date = November 29, 2021 |publisher = Superior Trips |location = Fridley, Minnesota }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1986 |title = Ship of the Month No.144: Emperor |url = https://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca//documents/scanner/18/05/default.asp?ID=c6 |ref = CITEREFToronto_Marine_Historical_Society1986 |access-date = November 29, 2021 |publisher = Toronto Marine Historical Society |location = Toronto, Ontario }}
{{cite web |author = The Greenstone |year = 2010 |title = The Greenstone 2010 |url = http://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/upload/Greenstone_2010.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110806010655/http://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/upload/Greenstone_2010.pdf |access-date = December 31, 2021 |archive-date = August 6, 2011 |publisher = National Park Service |location = Washington D.C. }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = The Marine Review (Cleveland, OH), June 1911 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/124984/data?n=201 |ref = CITEREFThe_Marine_Review1911a |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = The Marine Review |location = Cleveland, Ohio }}
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{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = The Railway and Marine World (Toronto, ON), Jan. 1911, p. 89, 91 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/63224/data?n=192 |ref = CITEREFThe_Railway_and_Marine_World1911a |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = |location = Toronto, Ontario }}
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{{cite web |author = |year = 1911 |title = The Railway and Marine World (Toronto, ON), December 1911, pp. 1187 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/63266/data?n=207 |ref = CITEREFThe_Railway_and_Marine_World_(5)1911 |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = |location = Toronto, Ontario }}
{{cite book |last = Thompson |first = Mark L. |year = 1994 |title = Queen of the Lakes |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=irtD2o_uQ88C&q=merchant |access-date = February 24, 2021 |publisher = Wayne State University Press |location = Detroit, Michigan |isbn = 0-8143-2393-6 }}
{{cite book |last1 = Thompson |first1 = Mark L. |year = 2004 |title = Graveyard of the Lakes |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tog_ll_MYrkC&dq=emperor+isle+royale&pg=PA76 |access-date = November 28, 2021 |publisher = Wayne State University Press |location = Detroit, Michigan |isbn = 978-0-814332-26-9 }}
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{{cite web |author = |year = 1936 |title = Toronto Telegram (Toronto, ON), 12 Dec 1936 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/123285/data?n=263 |ref = CITEREFToronto_Telegram1936a |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Toronto Telegram |location = Toronto, Ontario }}
{{cite web |author = |year = 1936 |title = Toronto Telegram (Toronto, ON), 19 Dec 1936 |url = https://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/123286/data?n=264 |ref = CITEREFToronto_Telegram1936b |access-date = December 1, 2021 |publisher = Toronto Telegram |location = Toronto, Ontario }}