Ship Wrecks on Lake Superior
Ship Wrecks on Lake Superior – November is referred to as “The Month of Storms” on the Great Lakes. The storm that hit when the Fitzgerald went down was one of the biggest, and the worst that Captain McSorley said he had ever seen. In the Fitzgerald’s storm, winds as fast as 45 knots were reported, with waves as high as thirty feet.
Estimated total shipwrecks in Lake Superior: about ~550
Estimated sunk “at or near Whitefish Point” / the Shipwreck Coast: about 200–240 ships
- Open lake (offshore water): usually only 45–55°F (7–13°C), even in midsummer
🌡️ Below the surface:
- Just a few feet down, the temperature drops quickly — the deeper layers of Lake Superior stay around 39°F (4°C) year-round.
📍Whitefish Point area:
Because it’s exposed to open, deep water and the cold upwelling currents, the surface temperature there in summer typically ranges from 45–55°F (7–13°C), rarely higher.
Ship Wrecks on Lake Superior
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12 Replies to “Ship Wrecks on Lake Superior”
Interesting!! Where is the bell from?? 🤣😎🙃
A lot of lakes stay 39 degrees year round, because water has the unusual property that it is at its densest at 39 degrees, while still liquid (most substances are denser as solids, but this is why ice floats). So once water gets to 39 degrees, it starts to sink, warmer water rises, so the whole lake top to bottom has to cool down to 39 degrees before colder surface temperatures can cool the lake any further.
Thank you Greg, great information. My husband decided to get in Lake Superior in July one year, because it looks so inviting with the clear water. He could not stay in very long..so cold he said
The Great lakes should NEVER be taken lightly by sailors. Even just a few miles off Chicago can be treacherous, in sight of tall buildings no less. Thanks for helping share, and remember, ghosts from the past.
You are very welcome Brad. Yes, so many ships that have been lost in waters all over. Lake Superior is a beautiful lake but I have seen the big waves and the ice breaks in the winter. A lot of power in that water.
This looks like an interesting museum to visit Sandra. I’m glad to get a closer look at it then they showed in the documentary. I remember they spoke of the cold of Lake Superior and I think they said no one could survive more than three hours in the icy cold water.
And that is why I’m a land guy ha! Thanks for all the interesting history!
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I remember learning about some of this when I was at Lake Superior a couple years back. Even just being out on the lake on a relatively calm day, the water was rough; it’s not hard to see how so many ships have gone down here.
Yes, it is a beautiful lake but so dangerous. Even in July the water is still cold..
Thank for this Sandra, love or hate it, I’ve been watching Ancient Aliens and this topic came up! Fascinating 👍
You are very welcome Brian