Wreck of Historic 1892 Ship Western Reserve Discovered in Lake Superior

The cargo ship, one of the first all-steel vessels on the Great Lakes, sank during a storm, claiming 27 lives, and was found 600 feet underwater after a two-year search.

• The Western Reserve, a 300-foot all-steel cargo ship, sank in Lake Superior in 1892 during a storm, leaving only one survivor out of 28 passengers and crew.
• The ship was renowned for its speed and was considered a technological marvel of its time, but its steel construction may have contributed to its vulnerability in rough conditions.
• The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society located the wreck 600 feet underwater after a two-year search using side-scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles.
• The ship was found split in two, with the bow resting atop the stern, raising theories about structural weaknesses in the steel or design flaws as potential causes of the sinking.
• The discovery sheds light on the tragic voyage, including the harrowing survival of wheelsman Harry W. Stewart, who swam to shore after the lifeboats capsized.

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