Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Gales of November
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014
1. The Gales of November Marker
It's the early morning hours of November 28, 1905.
Imagine yourself standing right here in the middle of one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history—65-mile-per-hour winds, blinding snow, 30-foot waves crashing into the cliff.
The Shipwreck Madeira
At the height of the storm, the 5000-ton steel barge Madeira smashed into the distant cliff in front of you. All but one of the crew of ten escaped. The wrecked ship still lies off Gold Point and is a popular dive site.
Nearly 30 ships were wrecked or damaged on Lake Superior during this storm. The scale of the destruction was one of the major reasons that Split Rock Lighthouse was built here in 1910.
[Illustration caption reads]
The Wreck of the Madeira, painting by Kurt Carlson
Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 28, 1885.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 47° 12.028′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The Gales of November (here, next to this marker); Steam Engine Hoist (here, next to this marker); Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker); Geology of the Split Rock Region (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fog Signal (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Away From Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Storage Barn (within shouting distance of this marker).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. The Mataafa Blow: The Stormy Horror of 1905. (Submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. November 28, 1905: The Mataafa Storm. (Submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park MN. (Submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014
2. The Gales of November Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 480 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
