The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has discovered the remarkably preserved wreck of the Atlanta, a ship lost over 130 years ago, in the depths of Lake Superior. With the help of sonar technology, the team located an unknown object approximately 650 feet below the lake surface and returned with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to reveal the wreck. The Atlanta, a 172-ton vessel laden with coal, was not under its own power but towed by the steamer Wilhelm. Tragedy struck near Michigan's Whitefish Point on the night of May 3, 1891, as adverse weather conditions led to the snapping of the line connecting the two vessels. Despite this tragedy, GLSHS researchers continue their work acknowledging the historical significance and stories concealed within the submerged wrecks of the Great Lakes.
The discovery sheds light on the perilous journeys faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes. GLSHS researchers recognized the Atlanta through a name board, highlighting the rarity of a shipwreck where its identity is unequivocally stated despite the pristine condition of the wreck. The cold temperatures of Lake Superior contributed to the ideal preservation conditions, with the absence of invasive species further maintaining the Atlanta's resting place.
