Water Library Blog - Green Bay Waterfront

The Recently Discovered Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes

On: June 14, 2024

By: India-Bleu Niehoff, Water Library Student Assistant Introduction The Great Lakes (Huron, Erie, Michigan, Superior, Ontario) are home to an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks, the vast majority of which are yet to be discovered. In fact, the exact number of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes is unknown for this very reason. The ships that have been discovered so far, have largely been found well preserved, providing maritime archaeologists a glimpse not only into the past but into the circumstances of their demise. This high level of preservation is due to the specific water conditions of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are cold freshwater lakes, which are the ideal conditions for shipwrecks which largely keeps them from degrading. Here are five shipwrecks that have recently been found in the Great Lakes. SS Arlington The SS Arlington was a World War II steamship that sank in Lake Superior in 1940. It was found in February of 2024, 35 miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and 650 feet deep. The ship was found in collaboration between Dan Fountain and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS). Fountain had spent the previous 10 years using remote sensing to search Lake Superior for shipwrecks. The SS Arlington went down on a foggy turned stormy night in late April and early May of 1940. The only casualty was the ship’s captain Frederick “Tatey Bug” Burke, who not only had ordered the ship to leave the Canadian coastline and its protection but never gave evacuation orders and ultimately stayed on the ship through its descent. Reportedly, crew members on the nearby Collingwood witnessed Captain Burke standing near the pilothouse and waving as he met his end. Read more about the SS Arlington here, as well as see photos and videos from its discovery. From NBC News, Mystery shipwreck that claimed captain’s life found at bottom of Lake Superior after 84 years. From Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Discovery of WWII Era Shipwreck SS Arlington in Lake Superior. SS Pere Marquette 18 The SS Pere Marquette 18 was a steel cross-lake carferry that traveled between Ludington, Michigan and Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Milwaukee. It was only 8 years old when it sank in September of 1910. It was found in 2020, 110 years after it sank, 25 miles off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and under roughly 500 feet of water. Even with the discovery of the ship it is unknown what caused the ferry to take on water, as the captain and all of the officers were part of the 29 lives lost in the wreck. However, from inventorying the damage visible on the ship, they do know that the ship sank quickly and strongly impacted the floor of the lake. Learn more about the SS Pere Marquette here. From Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Pere Marquette 18 From MLive, Lost car ferry found 110 years after sinking in Lake Michigan Atlanta The Atlanta, a schooner-barge, was found in 2022 roughly 35 miles from Deer Park Michigan, 131 years after she sank along with five of her seven crew members. The Atlanta was being pulled along by its companion steamer in 1891 when both ships were overtaken with strong winds consequently breaking not only the towline, but also the three masts of the Atlanta. While the seven crew members were able to evacuate the boat, the strong winds and tumultuous waters ended up claiming five of the seven members of the crew. Due to the frigid temperatures of Lake Superior, the ship remains in excellent condition, and the ship shows evidence confirming the eyewitness accounts of its sole survivors. Explore here for images of the shipwreck as well as more information about the Atlanta. From the Smithsonian, Well-Preserved, 131-Year-Old Shipwreck Found in Lake Superior. From Upper Michigan’s Source, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society discovers 131-year-old wreck beneath Lake Superior From Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Shipwreck Society Finds Vessel at Bottom of Lake Superior after 130 Years SS Huronton The SS Huronton was found almost exactly 100 years after it sank. The 238-foot long freighter was found in Lake Superior after not having been seen since it was hit by the ship Cetus in October of 1923. Both ships were “traveling too fast for the conditions” and collided. While the captain of the Cetus was able to keep his ship moving, essentially plugging the hole in the ship until everyone could get off (including the ship’s bulldog), the entire ship sank in 18 minutes. It had not been seen since, until it was discovered 800 feet below the surface in October of 2023. Read more about the SS Huronton at these sources. From Smithsonian, 100-Year-Old Shipwreck Discovered 800 Feet Below Lake Superior From Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Shipwreck Society Discovers a World War One Era Steel Bulk Freighter 100 Years after it sinks From CBS News, 100 years after its shipwreck, The Huronton located in Lake Superior Africa The Africa went down in Lake Huron in October of 1895 after cutting the towline with the schooner she was transporting after an unexpected snowstorm created hostile conditions on the lake. Both Africa and the schooner were desperately attempting to bail water out, before the Africa vanished from sight. While the crew of the schooner were rescued the next day, sadly, the entire crew of Africa perished. The ship was not seen again, until Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnic, two filmmakers documenting the impact of the invasive quagga mussel, followed a tip about a mound seen on the floor of Lake Huron. And there, 280 feet below the surface off the coast of the Saugeen Peninsula in Ontario Canada, was the Africa, marking 128 years since her demise. Learn more details about the sinking and discovery of the Africa. From Fox Weather, How a 128-year-old Great Lakes shipwreck was found thanks to an invasive animal From Smithsonian, Filmmakers Stumble Upon 128-Year-Old Shipwreck in Lake Huron From Great Lakes Scuttlebutt, Documentary filmmakers find 1895 steamship wreck in Lake Huron From the CBC, A