SS Kyle

The SS Kyle was a steel-hulled sealing vessel that later served as a cargo ship and passenger ferry. Built in Newcastle, England in 1913, she is best known for running aground at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, Canada in 1967, where she remains to this day as a landmark.

Initially employed in the Newfoundland sealing industry, the SS Kyle participated in annual hunts, often enduring hazardous ice conditions. After the decline of sealing, she was repurposed as a coastal freighter, transporting goods and passengers between various communities along the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts. This role was essential in linking remote settlements with the rest of the province.

Throughout her service life, the SS Kyle experienced various incidents, including near groundings and minor collisions. Her eventual grounding in Harbour Grace proved irreparable. Efforts to refloat her were unsuccessful, and she was abandoned.

The wreck of the SS Kyle is now a protected historical resource. While deteriorated over time, it serves as a reminder of Newfoundland's maritime heritage and the significant role that ships like the Kyle played in the region's economy and transportation network. Preservation efforts are ongoing to protect the site from further degradation.