Ss Maisie Direct

Echoes of the Estuary: A Historical and Archaeological Assessment of the SS Maisie

Life aboard the Maisie was dangerous. On September 2, 1935, the vessel faced its greatest trial. A Category 5 Labor Day hurricane—the most intense ever to hit the United States—slammed into the Middle Keys. A veteran crew sailed the Maisie for safer waters, but the storm caught them. The vessel was driven aground and battered, but miraculously, she did not sink. Her crew survived by lashing themselves to the deck and riding out the storm’s eyewall. The same hurricane destroyed the Overseas Railroad, which was never rebuilt. ss maisie

"SS Maisie" refers to content or highlights from a model named Maisie associated with Star Sessions. Echoes of the Estuary: A Historical and Archaeological

The Maisie was contracted as a primary support vessel. Her powerful engine made her ideal for towing barges laden with construction materials from Miami or Key West to the worksites. She would brave sudden squalls, strong Gulf Stream currents, and the constant threat of grounding on uncharted coral heads. The crews of the Maisie became legendary for their ability to deliver supplies no matter the weather, often working 20-hour days to keep the railroad’s insatiable appetite for materials satisfied. A veteran crew sailed the Maisie for safer

She began her career under the management of A. Laming & Co., operating primarily as a cargo carrier.

The SS Maisie was built by the renowned firm in Sunderland, England, for the Laming Steamship Co. Ltd. . Launched in October 1911, the vessel was designed as a "single screw" general cargo steamer, a workhorse of the British merchant fleet. Technical Specifications: Gross Tonnage: 4,425 tons