Shipwreck hunters make shocking discovery at the bottom of world's largest freshwater lake
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society
Shipwreck hunters have been left stunned to find a ship that sank in the world’s largest freshwater lake dating back to 1940.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS), along with shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain, made the shocking discovery in Lake Superior, around 35 miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
The society made their findings public on Monday (12 February), detailing the discovery of the 244ft bulk carrier Arlington in roughly 650ft of water.
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The ship initially left Port Arthur, Ontario, in April 1940, fully loaded with wheat under the guidance of Captain Frederick 'Tatey Bug' Burke.
However, this mission heading to Owen Sound, Ontario, did not exactly go to plan.
Alongside a larger freighter, the Collingwood, the Arlington encountered dense fog and then a thunderous storm that battered both ships.
Despite all the warning signs, the ship decided to make the journey as planned.
The Arlington's first mate ordered the ship hug the Canadian north shore - something that would have provided a bit of protection from the wind and waves.
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However, Captain Burke countermanded the order, instead ordering the Arlington back on its course across the open lake.
But just hours later at 4.30am on 1 May, chief engineer Fred Gilbert sounded the alarm as the Arlington began to sink.
"Out of fear for their lives, and without orders from Captain Burke, the crew began to abandon ship on their own," a statement from the society read.
The majority of those onboard were able to safely get off the Arlington and make it to the Collingwood.
However, Captain Burke went down with his ship.
Reports indicated the captain was last seen near its pilothouse just minutes before the ship sunk into the lake, and apparently waved to the Collingwood as the vessel disappeared into the water.
Yet, despite an inquiry being launched, nobody really knows what happened to him or why he didn't escape with the rest of his crew.
GLSHS Executive Director Bruce Lynn said: "One of the most important aspects of everything we do as an organization involves the concept of teamwork.
"And this was absolutely demonstrated when Negaunee resident Dan Fountain approached us with a potential target near the Copper Harbor area of Lake Superior
"These targets don’t always amount to anything…but this time it absolutely was a shipwreck. A wreck with an interesting, and perhaps mysterious story.
"Had Dan not reached out to us, we might never have located the Arlington…and we certainly wouldn’t know as much about her story as we do today."