Lost Shipwreck Found in Lake Superior After 84 Years!
After 84 years, the mystery of the SS Arlington and its captain’s fate has been unveiled at the bottom of Lake Superior. A tale of bravery, loss, and discovery. #ShipwreckMystery #GreatLakes
Michigan – A long-lost shipwreck has finally been discovered at the bottom of Lake Superior, ending an 84-year mystery.
The SS Arlington, a World War II-era steamship, sank during a fierce storm in 1940, taking its captain, Frederick “Tatey Bug” Burke, down with it. The ship was found 35 miles north of Michigan‘s Keweenaw Peninsula, lying under 650 feet of water.
For ten years, dedicated shipwreck hunter Dan Fountain, along with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, searched tirelessly for the Arlington. Using advanced technology, they spotted something intriguing at the lake’s bottom. Sonar and underwater drones confirmed it was the long-missing shipwreck.
The discovery revealed the Arlington’s final moments. On April 30, 1940, it set sail from Port Arthur, Ontario, loaded with wheat. As it navigated Lake Superior, it encountered thick fog that turned into a storm. The first mate suggested taking shelter near the Canadian shore, but Captain Burke decided to head back into open waters. Tragically, at 4:30 a.m. the next day, the ship began to sink.
The crew, fearing for their lives, abandoned ship without orders from Captain Burke. They all made it to safety, except for Burke, whose fate has puzzled historians for decades. Some reports suggested he was last seen near the pilothouse, waving to another ship as he went down with the Arlington.
The discovery of the Arlington not only solves a maritime mystery but also honors the memory of Captain Burke. Dan Fountain expressed hope that this final chapter in the ship’s story would bring closure to Burke’s family. Bruce Lynn, the executive director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, praised the teamwork that led to this significant find, uncovering one more of Lake Superior’s many mysteries.
