The Tragic Sinking of the Western Reserve: Only One Survivor

Discovery of the Western Reserve

• ⚓ The final resting place of the Western Reserve, a steel steamer ship, has been located after 132 years.
• 🚢 The ship was notable for being one of the first all-steel vessels on the Great Lakes and set speed records for cargo shipping.

The Fateful Storm of 1892

• ⛈️ On August 30, 1892, the Western Reserve dropped anchor to weather a severe squall.
• 💥 The storm was so intense that the ship began to break apart.

Lifeboats and Sole Survivor

• 🆘 The owner, his family, and crew took to two lifeboats.
• 🌊 The first lifeboat overturned almost immediately, with no survivors.
• 💔 The second lifeboat spent over 10 hours on the water before overturning near the shore, resulting in the loss of everyone aboard.
• 🗣️ Henry Stewart, a wheelman, was the only survivor who could recount the events of that night.

Locating the Wreckage

• 🗺️ Marine sonic technology aboard the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society's research vessel pinpointed the wreck.
• 📍 The Western Reserve now lies about 60 miles Northwest of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior.
• 📹 Eerie underwater video captures the remains of the ship.