GLSHS finds two of the three lost vessels that disappeared over a century ago in the Great Lakes

WHITEFISH POINT - The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) along with Marine Sonic Technology, is thrilled to announce the discovery of two vessels that sank in Lake Superior on Nov. 18, 1914.
Nov. 18, 1914, the Steamship C.F. Curtis was towing the schooner barges Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson from Baraga, (Lake Superior) to Tonawanda, New York, all with a load of lumber. The three ships soon found themselves battling through howling winds, snow squalls and punishing waves. Sadly, the Curtis, Marvin and Peterson were never seen again. Not one person from the trio survived, 28 lives were lost that day.
In 2021 GLSHS located nine lost vessels including the C.F. Curtis. This discovery was a huge highlight for the team that summer. This ship that went missing over 100 years ago, was only a piece of the puzzle though...what about the Marvin and the Peterson?
One year later in the summer of 2022, after a lot of work and a hint of luck, the crew in the Shipwreck Society’s research vessel, David Boyd, came across another shipwreck within a few miles of the Curtis. After putting the organization’s ROV on the wreck it soon became apparent that the Marvin had been located.
Finding the Curtis and the Marvin are significant historic discoveries in American history as they were all part of the Hines Lumber industry, one of the biggest lumber companies of that era. On Nov. 18, 1914, they lost almost one quarter of their fleet in one horrific storm.
When the GLSHS first saw the name Selden E. Marvin is an event that can never be reproduced. The raw emotion and joy of a new find is intense, and we had cameras rolling capturing our excitement.
“It was a career highlight to have witnessed the discovery of the Marvin,” GLSHS board member and maritime historian, Ric Mixter, said “as it not only solved a chapter in the nation’s darkest day in lumber history, but also showcased a team of historians who have dedicated their lives towards making sure these stories aren’t forgotten.”
“The combined losses of the C.F. Curtis, Selden E. Marvin and Annie M. Peterson have comprised one of the more tragic stories of shipwreck on the Great Lakes and certainly became one of the Lake Superior’s enduring mysteries. Executive Director, Bruce Lynn, of the GLSHS said, “To locate the Curtis and Marvin in a space of two years has been amazing…now we just have to find the Peterson.”
The GLSHS is searching for the Peterson. “It’s one of our goals to find the Peterson, Director of Marine Operations for the GLSHS, Darryl Ertel said, “it would be great to know where all three wrecks are lying on the bottom of Superior, and finally be able to tell the stories of the Curtis, Marvin and Peterson.”
This moment of maritime history and discovery will be showcased in the video we have on our website www.shipwreckmuseum.com and other streaming sites.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society was founded in 1978 by a group of divers, teachers and educators to commence exploration of historic shipwrecks in eastern Lake Superior, near Whitefish Point in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula. Today, this non-profit organization operates two museum sites on historic properties: The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point Light Station, Whitefish Point; and the U.S. Weather Bureau Building, Soo Locks Park, Sault Saint Marie. The Shipwreck Museum is open to the public seasonally from May 1 to Oct. 31. For more information visit www.shipwreckmuseum.com.