In 1949 as “Queen of the Lakes”, Carl D. Bradley was the largest freighter sailing since it’s maiden voyage in 1927. Captained by veteran seaman, 52 year old Roland Bryan, with a crew of 35 men, the Bradley headed to sea with a light load of limestone bound for Rogers City, Michigan. Date of departure was November 17, 1958. Aware of ominous weather approaching and a twenty degree drop in temperature, the Bradley left Buffington, Indiana. Late afternoon, weathering 65 mile per hour gale force winds, First Mate Elmer Fleming radioed their projected arrival at 2 a.m. Soon after a frightening, tremendous bang was heard. The pilot house crew saw the stern sagging and breaking apart. While “Mayday” was radioed, Captain Bryan ordered “Abandon Ship”. Unable to launch life boats, the lone life raft flew clear of the sinking ship. Only four crewmen made it to this primitive raft, a slim chance for survival. Of those four able to swim through storm tossed waves to the raft, only First Mate Elmer Fleming and Watchman Frank Mays survived. Seven hours passed before U. S. Coast Guard Cutter “Sundew” could pull them aboard to warmth and safety, owing to the disastrous severity of the storm. Fleming and Mays, even though on the verge of freezing to death, refuse to leave the area while the search for their fellow crew mates was going on.
On this tragic day, November 17, 1958, thirty-three men lost their lives to the terrible storm. Twenty-three hailed from Rogers City, Michigan.