[3] In the early afternoon of October 18, 1905, the Kaliyuga departed Marquette, Michigan with a cargo of iron ore, bound for Erie, Pennsylvania.

With no safe anchorage nearby, the Kaliyuga was forced to ride out the storm by heading east towards the Bruce Peninsula, away from the lee shore.

Wreckage in the form of the Kaliyuga's pilothouse was found on October 26 in Georgian Bay near Cove Island by the steamer Lillie Smith.

The body of what was initially thought to be a fireman[7] was found in the harbour of Port Elgin, Ontario, but was later identified as deckhand John Rush.[5]: p.

[4]: p.10 First theory: the Kaliyuga sank in the middle of Lake Huron on the evening of October 19, either overcome by high waves or caught when the wind shifted direction.

Second theory: the Kaliyuga reached the eastern shore of Lake Huron, losing men overboard en route.

Therefore, she tried to round the Bruce Peninsula to reach shelter in Georgian Bay, but hit a shoal in either Main or Macgregor Channel on the morning of October 20.