The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has announced the discovery of the Western Reserve. The 300-foot steel steamer sank in Lake Superior in 1892. The GLSHS, using Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar, discovered the vessel late last summer about 60 miles northwest of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior.

Following the initial discovery, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployments confirmed the identity of the shipwreck, which revealed the Western Reserve was broken in two, with the bow section resting on top of the stern in approximately 600 feet of water.

The Western Reserve was one of the first all-steel vessels on the Great Lakes. Twenty seven people died after the vessel broke up and sank during a storm, including the owner of the Western Reserve, Captain Peter G. Minch, and much of his family. One person survived.