Page 12: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2023)

DISCOVERY

HISTORIC

SHIPWRECK

FOUND IN

Image Credit: NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

LAKE HURON

By Stephanie Gandulla, NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary esearchers from NOAA, the state of Michigan, and The Sinking

Ocean Exploration Trust discovered an intact ship- In September 1894, Ironton sank in a collision that took the wreck resting hundreds of feet below the surface of lives of ? ve of the ship’s crew. Accounts from the wreck’s two

R

Lake Huron. Located within NOAA’s Thunder Bay survivors provide details about the loss of the vessel in “Ship-

National Marine Sanctuary, the shipwreck has been identi? ed wreck Alley”—an area of Lake Huron known for its treacher- as the sailing ship Ironton. Magni? cently preserved by the cold ous waters that have claimed the lives of many sailors.

freshwater of the Great Lakes for over a century, the 191-ft. The 190-foot steamer Charles J. Kershaw departed Ashtabu-

Ironton rests upright with its three masts still standing. la, Ohio, on Lake Erie, with the schooner barges Ironton and “Using this cutting-edge technology, we have not only lo- Moonlight in tow. The vessels sailed empty, destined for Mar- cated a pristine shipwreck lost for over a century, we are also quette, Michigan, on Lake Superior.

learning more about one of our nation’s most important natural At 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 26, while sailing north across Lake resources—the Great Lakes. This research will help protect Huron under clear skies, Kershaw’s engine failed, leaving

Lake Huron and its rich history,” said Jeff Gray, Thunder Bay the ship without power. A few miles north of the Presque Isle

National Marine Sanctuary superintendent. Lighthouse, a strong south wind pushed Moonlight and Iron- ton toward the disabled steamer. To avoid entanglement and 12 March/April 2023

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