Researchers have discovered the wreck of the Ironton, a schooner that sank in 1894 due to bad weather while transporting cargo across Lake Huron.
Sonar image of the Ironton wreck. (Photo: NOAA)
The wooden wreck, measuring 58 meters long, remains upright on the bottom of Lake Huron in the Great Lakes after 129 years, almost completely intact with all three original masts, Interesting Engineering reported on March 8. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Ocean Exploration Trust discovered it in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, also known as the “shipwreck alley”, which is home to about 200 well-preserved shipwrecks due to the cold freshwater.
Experts utilized advanced oceanographic technology to locate the Ironton. They employed the RV Storm research vessel equipped with NOAA’s multi-beam sonar technology to map the lakebed.
“With this technology, we not only pinpointed the location of the ship that has been missing for over a century, but we also gained further understanding of the Great Lakes, one of America’s most important natural resources. This research will contribute to the protection of Lake Huron along with its rich natural and historical resources,” emphasized Jeff Gray, Director of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Bow of the Ironton. (Photo: NOAA)
The Ironton was built in 1873 with a full cargo capacity of 1,250 tons. It was part of the shipping fleet operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century.
In September 1894, the Ironton and the barge Moonlight left the city of Ashtabula, Ohio, under the tow of the steamboat Charles J. Kershaw, but while crossing Lake Huron, Kershaw lost power due to bad weather. The wind pushed the Ironton toward the Moonlight, forcing the crew of the Moonlight to cut the tow line to avoid a collision.
This left the Ironton adrift in the rough seas. The captain ordered the crew to hoist the sails to regain control, but their efforts were not fast enough. The Ironton eventually collided with another steamboat named Ohio. The impact damaged both vessels.
The Ohio sank quickly, while the Ironton drifted for another hour before sinking to the bottom of the lake. The crew managed to board a lifeboat, but due to an incident, the Ironton dragged the lifeboat down with it as it sank, claiming the lives of five crew members. Only two men survived by clinging to floating debris and were rescued by a passing steamboat. Over a century later, the lifeboat is still attached to the stern of the ship.
