Survey Reveals Lost Wreck of the Steamer SS Western Reserve

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has unveiled its latest wreck find: the remains of the steamer Western Reserve, which went down 132 years ago in Lake Superior. 

Western Reserve was a historically significant ship. She entered service in 1890 and was among the earliest lakers ever built out of steel plate. Her novel design allowed her to carry heavier loads at higher speeds than competing wooden-hulled vessels. 

On August 30, 1892, Western Reserve was under way on a ballast voyage to the port of Two Harbors to take on a load of iron ore. She had 32 crewmembers and passengers on board, including shipowner Capt. Peter Minch, his wife, his two children, his sister-in-law and her daughter.

When they reached Whitefish Bay, rough weather picked up and the captain ordered the anchor dropped to wait for calmer conditions. When the winds died down, they heaved anchor and headed out into Lake Superior. At 2100 hours that night, they were hit by a squall and the ship – which was just one and a half years old – began to break up. 

The crew launched two lifeboats, and all got away. However, one of the lifeboats capsized as soon as the crew boarded, leaving just one boat afloat as the ship slipped below. Two crewmen from the lost lifeboat were pulled from the water by the survivors. 

The second boat nearly made it to safety twice. A steamer passed in the night, but did not see the survivors. At about 0730 hours the next morning, the boat approached the Upper Peninsula’s shores near the Deer Park Life-Saving station. The boat flipped in the surf, sending the shipowner, his family and the surviving crewmembers into the water. 

The sole survivor, wheelman Harry Stewart, managed to make it to shore on