The SS Kamloops was a Canadian lake freighter built in 1924 by Furness Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Haverton Hill, Stockton-on-Tees, England. Designed to navigate the Canadian-operated canals of the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, the vessel measured 250 feet (75 meters) in length and was rated at 2,402 gross tons, making it relatively small for Great Lakes standards at the time. The ship was powered by a 1,000 horsepower triple expansion steam engine, utilizing Scotch boilers, and featured two rigged masts for additional support. Originally registered in the United Kingdom, the Kamloops was shipped to Copenhagen for freight pickup before being delivered to Montreal and Houghton, Michigan. As a canaller, her primary role was transporting diversified "package" freight, including manufactured goods from Montreal to ports like Thunder Bay, Ontario. This service was crucial for Canada's imperial trade network, especially before the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The vessel was known for operating late into the shipping season, often passing through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal as one of the last ships to do so each year. In late November 1927, Kamloops embarked on a voyage carrying a mixed cargo—tar paper, papermaking machinery, wire, piping, shoes, and foodstuffs—up Lake Huron and into Lake Superior. On December 6, 1927, amid a severe storm, the ship was last seen heading toward Isle Royale, Michigan, and was never seen again. Despite extensive searches in the subsequent months, only some wreckage and the remains of several crew members were recovered. The ship's sinking remains a maritime mystery, with the cause still unknown. The wreck of Kamloops was finally discovered in 1977, lying on its starboard side beneath over 260 feet of water near Isle Royale. Human remains and cargo are still present on the site, and the ship is considered one of the "Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes." Its discovery provided valuable insight into early 20th-century lake freighting and remains a significant site for divers exploring Great Lakes maritime history.

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