Shipwreck Society Discovers the Nucleus in Lake Superior
The Nucleus sank on September 14th, 1869, during a storm when it was downbound from Marquette carrying a load of iron ore. When the ship started to take on water, the crew abandoned the vessel and escaped in their lifeboat. They were rescued by the schooner Worthington, with no loss of life.
The Shipwreck Society discovered the Nucleus using a Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar in the summer of 2021, and positively identified the wreck in 2022 using the organization’s ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle). Darryl Ertel Jr., the director of marine operations for GLSHS, said the ship is in good condition, with the straight back stern and port side still intact.
The sinking of the Nucleus wasn’t its first accident. The ship had already sunk twice, and in 1854, rammed and sank the side-wheeler S.S. Detroit in Lake Huron. The 1869 sinking made the Nucleus one of the oldest ships to go down along Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast.
Shipwreck Discovered in Lake Michigan 137 Years After Sinking
Explorers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA) have discovered the remains of steamship Milwaukee, which sank after it collided with another ship in 1886. The sinking happened in 360 feet... Read More
WWI Era Steel Bulk Freighter Discovered 100 Years After Sinking in Lake Superior
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has announced the discovery of the steel bulk freighter Huronton 100-years after sinking more than 800 feet to the bottom of Lake Superior.... Read More