132-Year-Old Wreck Of Steamer Western Reserve Found In Lake Superior

Image Credits: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum/Facebook
The wreck of the Western Reserve, a 300-foot steel steamer that sank in 1892, has been found in Lake Superior, about 60 miles northwest of Whitefish Point after more than a century.

The discovery was made by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) using Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar aboard their research vessel, David Boyd.

The initial detection happened in late summer 2024, and further investigation using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) confirmed the wreck’s identity.

The ship was found broken in two, with the bow section resting on top of the stern at a depth of around 600 feet.

Built as one of the first all-steel ships on the Great Lakes, the Western Reserve was designed to transport cargo at high speed and was regarded as one of the safest vessels of its time. A newspaper at the time referred to it as “the inland greyhound” due to its impressive speed.

The ship was owned by Captain Peter G. Minch, a wealthy shipping magnate, and was under the command of Captain Albert Myer. In August 1892, Minch invited his wife, two children, sister-in-law, and her daughter on a voyage through the Great Lakes.

Image Credits: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum/Facebook
The journey was smooth until the ship reached Whitefish Bay, where rough weather forced the crew to drop anchor and wait for better conditions.

When the storm seemed to pass, the Western Reserve resumed its journey into Lake Superior. However, on the night of August 30, 1892, around 9:00 p.m., when the ship encountered a powerful gale. The vessel began to break apart and sank within minutes.

As the Western Reserve went down, the passengers and crew managed to launch two lifeboats. One capsized almost immediately, and many people were lost. The survivors in