Century-old shipwreck present in Lake Superior, fixing thriller

WHITEFISH POINT, Mich. — The Nice Lakes Shipwreck Historic Society, together with Marine Sonic Expertise, has introduced the invention of two vessels that sank in Lake Superior on Nov. 18, 1914.

On that day, the Steamship C.F. Curtis was towing the schooner barges Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson from Baraga, Michigan, to Tonawanda, New York, all with a load of lumber. The three ships encountered a robust storm, and all three had been by no means seen once more. Twenty-eight lives had been misplaced.

In 2021, the Nice Lakes Shipwreck Historic Society positioned 9 misplaced vessels, together with the C.F. Curtis. However, the Marvin and Peterson remained lacking.

One yr later, in the summertime of 2022, the crew of the shipwreck society’s analysis vessel, David Boyd, got here throughout one other shipwreck inside just a few miles of the Curtis. Utilizing the group’s remotely operated automobile on the wreck revealed it was the Marvin.

Society officers mentioned discovering the Curtis and the Marvin are important historic discoveries in American historical past, as they had been all a part of Hines Lumber, one of many largest lumber firms of that period. On Nov. 18, 1914, they misplaced nearly one quarter of their fleet in a single storm.

Ric Mixter, society board member and maritime historian, recalled the uncooked emotion and pleasure of the brand new discover. The second was captured on movie by the shipwreck society.

“It was a profession spotlight to have witnessed the invention of the Marvin,” Mixter mentioned, “Because it not solely solved a chapter within the nation’s darkest day in lumber historical past, but additionally showcased a crew of historians who’ve devoted their lives in the direction of ensuring these tales aren’t forgotten.”

Bruce Lynn, government director of the shipwreck society, added: “The mixed losses of the C.F. Curtis, Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson have comprised one of many extra tragic tales of shipwreck on the Nice Lakes and definitely turned one of many Lake Superior’s enduring mysteries. To find the Curtis and Marvin in an area of two years has been wonderful … now we simply have to search out the Peterson!”

The shipwreck society is constant the seek for the still-missing Peterson.

“It’s one among our targets to search out the Peterson,” mentioned Director of Marine Operations Darryl Ertel. “It could be nice to know the place all three wrecks are mendacity on the underside of Superior, and at last be capable to inform the tales of the Curtis, Marvin and Peterson.”