Shipwrecks found in Lake Superior yield clues to 28 deaths over a century ago
Lake Superior’s depths have yielded two century-old shipwrecks that shed light on the fate of a trio of vessels that sank in 1914.
Elated underwater archaeologists in Michigan have discovered the remnants of two ships, and are hoping they will lead to a third that sunk at the same time. Nearly 30 people died when a storm-tossed lake swallowed the vessels on Nov. 18, 1914.
The three ships were owned by the Edward Hines Lumber Company. Steamship C.F. Curtis was towing lumber-laden schooner barges Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson when the crew “found themselves battling through howling winds, snow squalls and punishing waves,” the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society said in announcing the discovery last week.
“Sadly, the Curtis, Marvin, and Peterson were never seen again,” they added. “Not one person from the trio survived; 28 lives were lost that day.”
The findings are still relevant in “helping piece the puzzle together of what happened to these 28 people,” said Corey Adkins, the society’s content and communications director. “Maybe there are still some family members that want to know what happened. We’re able to start answering those questions.”
Michigan researchers found the wreckage of the Curtis and the Marvin in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and are still searching for the Peterson. The Curtis was one of nine lost vessels found in 2021, said the historical society, which runs regular shipwreck searches.
The Great Lakes hold hundreds of such secrets, as many ships have sunk in those waters over the decades.
“It was a career highlight to have witnessed the discovery of the Marvin,” historical society board member and maritime historian Ric Mixter said in a statement. “It not only solved a chapter in the nation’s darkest day in lumber history, but also showcased a team of historians who have dedicated their lives towards making sure these stories aren’t forgotten.”
The loss of the three ships marked “one of the more tragic stories of shipwreck on the Great Lakes and certainly became one of the Lake Superior’s enduring mysteries,” said historical society executive director Bruce Lynn. “To locate the Curtis and Marvin in a space of two years has been amazing… now we just have to find the Peterson!”
With News Wire Services
