Hesper was a wooden-hulled, single-screw, triple-masted, cargo ship built by the Bradley Transportation Company in Cleveland, Ohio.

She was used to haul both iron ore and grain, two products important to Minnesota's economy at the time.

[3] Hesper was caught in a late-spring snowstorm on 4 May 1905,[4] with a strong nor'easter with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) driving her off her intended course and smashing her into a reef that now marks the southwest end of the harbor in Silver Bay, Minnesota.

[5] The wreck of Hesper is well preserved and lies in 30 to 48 feet (9 to 15 meters) of water about halfway down the west breakwall of the Silver Bay harbor.

The aft end of the hull contains a number of long bolts that were used to mount the engine.