WHITEFISH POINT, Mich. (WWJ) - An almost 300-foot-long barge that sunk during a storm on the Great Lakes has been discovered almost 120 years after it was last seen taking on water and diving beneath the waves.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced the discovery of the Whaleback vessel, Barge 129, found in Lake Superior about 35 miles off the coast of Vermilion Point in 650 feet of water.
"Barge 129 sank on October 13th, 1902. 120 years-ago near the day of this press release," officials said in a statement. The barge was found with eight other shipwrecks in 2021 by the GLSHS, but the society did not explore the wreckage with a remotely controlled vehicle (ROV) until this past summer.
According to officials, Barge 129 was sunk on October 13th, 1902 after getting caught in one of Lake Superior's infamous gales. The vessel was in tow of the steamer Maunaloa, which officials said was downbound, or traveling with the current, with a load of iron ore.
The storm was so powerful, officials said, that the towline between the two ships snapped among the wind and the waves.
The Maunaloa attempted to turn back and reconnect the towline, but the rough waters caused the two ships to collide. As a result, the Maunaloa's port side anchor tore through Barge 129's starboard side and the vessel began taking on water.
"As the barge began to sink, Captain Josiah Bailey and his crew moved quickly and struggled to launch their lifeboat," officials said. "The crew of Maunaloa stood by, and eventually helped the Barge 129 crew onto their ship...just as the whaleback dove to the bottom of Lake Superior."
In a true testament to the storm's strength, GLSHS Director of Marine Operations Darryl Ertel Jr. said they found the wreck "totally destroyed" and in thousands of pieces at the bottom of the lake.
"When the Shipwreck Society put their ROV down on the wreck-site this past summer, they were surprised by the devastation of the ship. “It's totally destroyed on the bottom. It's nowhere near intact. It's at least 4 to 5 big pieces and thousands of little pieces. It's just disintegrated” Ertel said.
Shipwreck Society Executive Director Bruce Lynn said they were able to identify the whaleback ship to due its distinctive shape.
“The whalebacks were pretty unusual ships.” stated Lynn. “When we had the ROV on it, you could clearly see the distinctive bow with a part of the towline still in place…that was an incredible moment!"
For more information about the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and their mission, visit here.