Key takeaways:
- The Ironton was built in 1873 and was a common sight on the Great Lakes before it collided with a grain hauler in 1894.
- The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is working to document the Ironton and other shipwrecks in the area, as well as preserve them and educate the public.
- The tragedy of the Ironton serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of taking precautions when navigating the waters of the Great Lakes.
In a tragic event that occurred on a blustery night in September 1894, a 191-foot cargo vessel collided with a grain hauler in the Thunder Bay area of northern Lake Huron off the Michigan coast, sinking both ships. The Ironton’s captain and six sailors clambered into a lifeboat but it was dragged to the bottom before they could detach it from the ship.
The gravesite of the Ironton long eluded shipwreck hunters, but in 2019 a team of historians, underwater archaeologists and technicians located the wreckage. In a June 2021 photo taken from video provided by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the bow of the Ironton is seen in Lake Huron off Michigan’s east coast.
The Ironton was built in 1873 and was a common sight on the Great Lakes. It was carrying a load of coal from Cleveland to Sault Ste. Marie when it collided with the grain hauler. The cause of the accident is unknown, but the Thunder Bay area is known for its treacherous waters.
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is working to document the Ironton and other shipwrecks in the area. They are also working to preserve the shipwrecks and educate the public about the history of the Great Lakes.
The Ironton is a reminder of the dangers of the Great Lakes and the importance of maritime safety. The tragedy of the Ironton serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of taking precautions when navigating the waters of the Great Lakes.
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