The SS Emperor was a notable Canadian lake freighter constructed between 1910 and 1911 by the Collingwood Shipbuilding Company in Collingwood, Ontario. It was launched on December 17, 1910, as hull number 28, and was christened by James Playfair of Midland, Ontario. Designed specifically for the iron ore trade, Emperor was at the time the largest Canadian ship built on the Great Lakes, earning the nickname "The Pride of Canada." The vessel measured an overall length of 525 feet (160 meters) and a length between perpendiculars of 504 feet (153.6 meters), with a beam of 56.1 feet (17.1 meters) and a moulded depth of 31 feet (9.4 meters). Its gross register tonnage was 7,031, with a net tonnage of 5,408. The ship's hull featured an arch-and-web frame system, providing unobstructed cargo holds divided into five compartments with 30 hatches, each capable of carrying approximately 2,000 long tons of cargo, primarily iron ore. Powered by a 2,200 horsepower triple-expansion steam engine and two coal-fired Scotch marine boilers, Emperor could reach a maximum speed of about 10 knots. The vessel's design included seven side-ballast and bilge tanks, facilitating rapid loading and unloading processes. Its superstructure placed the captain’s and mate’s quarters at the bow, with crew quarters at the stern, while the engine room extended 67 feet in length. Throughout its service, Emperor primarily transported iron ore, often from Fort William and Port Arthur, Ontario, to steel mills in Hamilton and Point Edward, Ontario. The ship experienced several accidents, including running aground multiple times and a notable sinking. On June 4, 1947, after loading ore bound for Ohio, Emperor ran aground on Canoe Rocks near Isle Royale during a night voyage. Despite efforts to save her, she broke apart in roughly 20 to 35 minutes, resulting in the loss of 12 crew members and survivors rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball. Today, Emperor’s wreck lies in waters ranging from 25 to 175 feet deep, with its bow partially broken and the stern largely intact. The site is a designated historic place and a popular diving location, especially after being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The wreck remains significant as the second-largest and most frequently visited shipwreck at Isle Royale, illustrating the maritime history and industrial development on the Great Lakes.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.