Historians in Michigan recently announced that the shipwreck of the Adella Shores, a wooden steamship built in 1894, has been discovered at the bottom of Lake Superior. The ship, which mysteriously disappeared on May 1, 1909, was carrying salt to Duluth, Minnesota and none of the 14 sailors on board were ever heard from again. The vessel was named after the Shores Lumber Company, which built it, and the owner’s daughter, Adella. The wreck was found by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) using side-scan sonar technology in the summer of 2021.
The remains of the ship’s boiler, cargo hold, port bow, and other parts were found on the bottom of Lake Superior, but there was no sign of the sailors’ remains. Bruce E. Lynn, executive director of the GLSHS, explained that shipwrecks in the Great Lakes were common due to various factors such as unpredictable weather, reduced visibility, and a lack of modern navigation technology. The Adella Shores had previously sunk twice due to ice at docks, but it was likely a storm that caused the final shipwreck in 1909. Lynn also mentioned that between 6,000 and 10,000 shipwrecks are estimated to be in the Great Lakes, with many still undiscovered.
The GLSHS typically waits to announce discovered shipwrecks until thorough research has been conducted on the history and circumstances surrounding each one. Corey Adkins, GLSHS communications director, emphasized the importance of telling these stories with honor and respect, which is why extensive research goes into each press release. The organization was founded in 1978 by a group of divers, teachers, and educators with the goal of exploring historic shipwrecks in Lake Superior near Whitefish Point. The GLSHS runs two museum sites on historic properties, including the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point Light Station and the U.S. Weather Bureau Building at Soo Locks Park.
Shipwrecks like the Adella Shores serve as reminders of the dangerous conditions that sailors faced on the Great Lakes, especially before the advent of modern navigation technology. Weather, reduced visibility, and collisions with other vessels were common risks for ships navigating the lakes. The discovery of shipwrecks contributes to the preservation of maritime history and the stories of the sailors who lost their lives at sea. The Adella Shores is just one of many shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, with potentially thousands more waiting to be found by researchers and historians.
The recent announcement of the discovery of the Adella Shores shipwreck marks the culmination of years of research by the GLSHS. The ship was located using advanced sonar technology that allowed researchers to pinpoint its location on the lakebed. The history of the ship, its crew, and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance in 1909 have now been brought to light through the efforts of the GLSHS. The organization’s commitment to preserving maritime history and honoring the memory of those lost at sea is evident in their approach to researching and announcing shipwreck discoveries. The story of the Adella Shores adds to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.
