A 128‑year-old marine mystery solved. Wreckage of Ironton found in Thunder Bay Sanctuary

The unsolved mystery of the Ironton has intrigued shipwreck enthusiasts for many years. The 190-foot freighter collided with a grain transporter on a windy night in September of 1894. The encounter was so catastrophic that both vessels went down. The tragic incident unfolded in the perilous northern stretch of Lake Huron off the coast of Michigan.

The ships' collision ended in tragedy. The captain of the Ironton and six crew members got into a lifeboat. However, it was dragged underwater before they could detach it from the ship. Only two crew members managed to survive, and they were unable to reveal the exact location of the freighter’s downfall.

Despite the years that have passed, shipwreck specialists were not able to find any trace of the Ironton until now. After 128 years, the mystery is finally solved.

On March 1st, the staff at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan, announced they had discovered the resting place of the historic vessel.

The recollection of the ship's retrieval was shared by Associated Press inspector Jeff Gray. A team comprising historians, underwater archaeologists, and technicians came across the wreck in 2019. Following its discovery, cameras were set up to survey and document the site. The discovery was kept confidential to prevent divers from disturbing the location before the work was fully completed.

The wreck is remarkably well preserved. Experts discovered a lifeboat still attached to the ship at the lake’s bottom, corroborating survivor accounts of the tragedy. No human remains, however, were found. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is preparing to disclose the exact location in the coming months and is considering installing a mooring buoy at the site.