Wreck of the Carl D.

A True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea

By: Michael Schumacher

Narrated by: Gary D. MacFadden

On November 18, 1958, a 623-foot limestone carrier - caught in one of the most violent storms in Lake Michigan history - broke in two and sank in less than five minutes. Four of the 35-person crew escaped to a small raft, to which they clung in total darkness, braving 30-foot waves and frigid temperatures. As the storm raged on, a search-and-rescue mission hunted for survivors, while the frantic citizens of nearby Rogers City, Michigan, the hardscrabble town that was home to 26 members of the Carl D. Bradley's crew, anxiously awaited word of their loved ones' fates. In Wreck of the Carl D., Michael Schumacher reconstructs the terrible accident, perilous search, and chilling aftermath for the small Michigan town so intimately affected by the tragedy.

The book is published by Indiana University.

©2008 Michael Schumacher (P)2012 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Schumacher covers the ship's shaky state, the harrowing wreck and risky rescue with assurance and clarity, by profiling the Carl D.'s crew and detailing their lives he gives a human face to the tragedy, infusing the book with dramatic substance to match the riveting narrative." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Schumacher writes with a steady hand, never letting the drama or emotion of the moment overwhelm the storytelling. A solid and sometimes heartbreaking addition to the maritime-tragedy genre." ( Booklist)

"Moving this narrative smoothly and vividly through a half-century, the author lays claim to the title of master popular chronicler of Great Lakes shipwrecks. A signal contribution of nautical Americana." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Well constructed book.

I very much enjoyed the story and the details in the epilogue was a nice finishing touch.

A harrowing story of survival and loss

Thanks to Gordon Lightfoot's song, everyone knows the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Prior to that the Great Lakes have claimed numerous ships and crews. The Carl D. Bradley was such a ship, a huge limestone carrier that sank in a November gale take all but two members of the crew with her.

Michael Schumacher has researched the history of Carl D, spoke to the families of those lost and those who were involved in the search and rescue. He brings an intimacy to the story that leaves you hoping that some crew would survive though you know they will not. His work will both entertain and educate the listener.

Going beyond the Carl D, he also tells of the loss of her sister ship, Cedarville; as well as the Daniel J. Morrell.

The Bradley.

Excellent information and a harrowing story that will keep you engaged. Some parts are dry and repetitive, but hey, it's a shipwreck there's only so much information you'll get out of her, but overall a 10/10.

Looking for more books from this narrator

Where does Wreck of the Carl D. rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty high. He made it very interesting.

Any additional comments?

It was a tragedy that I was unaware of until a friend told me about it. This book was very informative to me--having known nothing before I listened to it.