Curt Brown discusses 'The Great Storm of 1905'

Programs | MPR News Feature | Topics | Weather | Special Collections | Minnesota Books and Authors | Types | Interviews | Disaster | Morning Edition | Grants | Legacy Project Work (2022-2023) | "Wait 10 Minutes" - Minnesota's historic weather events | Gichigami - Moments along Lake Superior's shore |
November 27, 2008
Cathy Wurzer - Host, Curt Brown - Interviewee, Julie Siple - Producer
Listen: terrible storm (Brown)-0185
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Curt Brown discusses his book “So Terrible a Storm: A Tale of Fury on Lake Superior,” which chronicles The Great Storm of 1905, also known as Mataafa Storm of 1905. The cyclone storm brought death and destruction for those on Lake Superior during the intense weather event.

On November 27-28, 1905, dozens of ships were on Lake Superior making the season's last run when the storm, named after the steamship Mataafa, hit the coastal region. It brought storm-force winds and heavy snows destroying or damaging about 29 vessels, killing 36 seamen. The disaster was so extreme that, in its wake, Congress appropriated money for the now-famous Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior.

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