Too Much Sea for Their Decks, Michael Schumacher
Too Much Sea for Their Decks, Michael Schumacher
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
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Too Much Sea for Their Decks
Shipwrecks of Minnesota's North Shore and Isle Royale

Author: Michael Schumacher

Narrator: Jim Seybert

Unabridged: 6 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/17/2023


Synopsis

Against the backdrop of the extraordinary history of Great Lakes shipping, Too Much Sea for Their Decks chronicles shipwrecked schooners, wooden freighters, early steel-hulled steamers, whalebacks, and bulk carriers all lost in the frigid waters of Lake Superior.

Included are compelling accounts of vessels destined for infamy, such as that of the Stranger, a slender wooden schooner swallowed by the lake in 1875; an account of the whaleback Wilson, rammed by a large commercial freighter in broad daylight and in calm seas; and the mysterious loss of the Kamloops, a package freighter that went down in a storm and whose sailors were found on the Isle Royale the following spring, having escaped the wreck only to die of exposure on the island. Then there is the ill-fated Steinbrenner, plagued by bad luck from the time of her construction to her eventual sinking in 1953. These tales and more represent loss of life and property—and are haunting stories of brave and heroic crews.

Arranged chronologically and presented in three sections covering Minnesota's North Shore, Isle Royale, and the three biggest storms in Minnesota's Great Lakes history (the 1905 Mataafa storm, the 1913 hurricane on the lakes, and the 1940 Armistice Day storm), each shipwreck documented within provides a piece to the history of shipping on Lake Superior.

About Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher has written many books on Great Lakes shipwrecks, including Mighty Fitz, November's Fury, Torn in Two, The Trial of the Edmund Fitzgerald (all from Minnesota), and Wreck of the Carl D. He has written narratives for twenty-five documentaries on Great Lakes shipwrecks and lighthouses. He lives in Wisconsin.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Janalyn, the blind reviewer on March 15, 2023

I inhaled this book from the original barge made by Captain McGregor to the very last wreck that should’ve never happened this book is full of interesting stories with great detail and an awesome talent for painting a picture you weren’t there to see in person the author has done a great job filling......more

Goodreads review by Jan on April 29, 2023

Fascinating and amazing. The lake is fascinating and its power is amazing, as are the men and ships in the days before radar, satellites, communications such as we have now, better rescue techniques, and, sadly, better salvaging and diving capabilities. This book demonstrates impeccable research and......more

Goodreads review by Brendan on May 04, 2023

It's great when a book gives you precisely what you expect. Michael Schumacher's Too Much Sea for Their Decks is the story of a bunch of different shipwrecks on Lake Superior. In fact, there is discussion of some wrecks in other Great Lakes but those are just stories which need to be told. Even Schu......more

Goodreads review by Ron on March 10, 2023

An interesting story of the men who sailed and fought the dangers of sailing on Lake Superior. Thee author used good first hand accounts to highlight the stories and the pictures gave a stark image of the events. I have always enjoyed stories of maritime disasters and this one did not disappoint. A......more

Goodreads review by James on December 08, 2024

I enjoyed reading this book throughout. Learned about a lot of shipwrecks I’ve never heard of, like Algoma or Monarch. For a while I was looking for a book with a good sized chapter about the Henry Steinbrenner and this has one! I loved reading about it. Wish there was a bigger chapter about the Emp......more