A World War II era shipwreck dating back to 1940 was discovered more than 600 feet below the surface of Lake Superior.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS), along with shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain, discovered the 244-foot bulk carrier, named the Arlington, in over 600 feet of water around 35 miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
Recommended Videos
Fountain flagged the possible shipwreck after noticing a “deep anomaly” while studying remote sensing data. GLSHS brought a side-scan sonar to the area and discovered it was a shipwreck.
Here’s some background on the Arlington from GLSHS:
On April 30th, 1940, the Arlington left Port Arthur, Ontario fully loaded with wheat en route to Owen Sound, Ontario. She was under command of Captain Frederick “Tatey Bug” Burke, a seasoned veteran of the lakes. Dense fog greeted the Arlington and a larger freighter, the Collingwood, as they made their way across Lake Superior. As the day turned to night the fog turned into a storm and battered both ships. The Arlington started to take on water. The Arlington’s first mate, Junis Macksey, ordered a course to hug the Canadian North Shore, which would have provided some cover from wind and waves, but Captain Burke countermanded the order...and ordered his ship back on its course across the open lake. On May 1st at around 4:30am Chief Engineer, Fred Gilbert, sounded the alarm, as the Arlington started to sink. Out of fear for their lives, and without orders from Captain Burke, the crew began to abandon ship on their own. Luckily, everyone safely got off the Arlington and made it to the safety of the Collingwood…everyone but Captain “Tatey Bug” Burke.
---> Related: Shipwreck discovered in Lake Superior 153 years after it sank for the third and final time
An investigation, and much speculation followed the sinking of the Arlington and the odd behavior of its master. Why did he go down with his ship…when he easily could have been saved like the rest of his crew? The fact is no one will ever know the answer. Reports indicate that he was near the pilothouse of his ship and waved at the Collingwood minutes before his ship went to the deep, 650-feet to the bottom of Lake Superior.
“One of the most important aspects of everything we do as an organization involves the concept of teamwork. This goes for our operations at Whitefish Point, as well as on the water aboard the David Boyd. We are lucky to have so many dedicated shipwreck historians and researchers as friends of GLSHS.” Said GLSHS Executive Director, Bruce Lynn.” And this was absolutely demonstrated when Negaunee resident Dan Fountain approached us with a potential target near the Copper Harbor area of Lake Superior. These targets don’t always amount to anything...but this time it absolutely was a shipwreck. A wreck with an interesting, and perhaps mysterious story. Had Dan not reached out to us, we might never have located the Arlington...and we certainly wouldn’t know as much about her story as we do today.”
---> More Michigan shipwreck news here
“It’s exciting to solve just one more of Lake Superior’s many mysteries,” said shipwreck researcher, Dan Fountain, “finding Arlington so far out in the lake. I hope this final chapter in her story can provide some measure of closure to the family of Captain Burke.”