A ship carrying a load of coal when it sank in a storm in 1891 has been found in Lake Superior off Michigan's Higher Peninsula. The Atlanta is well-preserved within the extraordinarily chilly lake, the Nice Lakes Shipwreck Historic Society mentioned Thursday.
The shipwreck group posted photographs and video with the title of the ship clearly seen at a depth of greater than 600 ft, roughly 35 miles off Deer Park, Michigan. Video additionally clearly reveals the ship's wheel, pump and broken-off mast.
"It's uncommon that we discover a shipwreck that so clearly proclaims what it's and the name-board of the Atlanta actually stands out," mentioned Bruce Lynn, government director of the shipwreck society. "It's actually ornate and nonetheless stunning after 130 years on the underside of Lake Superior."
The group mentioned sonar know-how had a important function in finding the Atlanta.
The ship, which had its sails down, was being towed by one other vessel when the road snapped throughout a storm, in keeping with the group.
"The Atlanta was quickly on the mercy of the lake, and the crew took to the lifeboat," the group mentioned. "They pulled on the oars for a number of hours and ultimately got here inside website of the Crisp Level Life-Saving Station. Whereas trying to land their small boat close to the station, it overturned and solely two of the crew made it safely to the seaside."
The survivors mentioned all three masts broke off throughout the storm, and sonar video does certainly present all three masts broke off flush with the deck and are nowhere to be discovered.
"Nobody has to ask the place the Atlanta is anymore," mentioned Darryl Ertel, the shipwreck society's director of marine operations.
