Shipwreck Hunters Find 2 Steam-Era Ships That Sank in Fierce Storm in 1914 on Lake Superior

The shipwrecked schooner barge Selden E. Marvin was one of three vessels that sank during a storm over 100 years ago. In April, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) announced the ship’s discovery—retrieving a piece of the historic puzzle.

They captured haunting footage of the schooner, thrillingly revealing her partially-preserved name board, broken helm, and now surely waterlogged cargo: lumber. Doors still hang on hinges, while haunting portals entice voyeurs to peer inside.

It had been a fateful and stormy night. It was November 18, 1914, and steamship C.F. Curtis, towing two schooner barges, faced howling winds, snow squalls, and daunting waves on Lake Superior. Behind her were barges Annie M. Peterson and Selden E. Marvin, both stowing lumber en route from Baraga, Michigan, to Tonawanda, New York.

The name board of the shipwrecked schooner barge Selden E. Marvin, seen in recent footage released in April. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

The prow of schooner barge Selden E. Marvin, which sank during a storm on Lake Superior in 1914. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

The hull of the sunken barge Selden E. Marvin after it was discovered in 2022. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

Footage shows the anchor of Selden E. Marvin. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

Video footage taken of schooner barge Selden E. Marvin in 2022. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

Neither barges nor steamship would reach their destination. Nor would they be seen again for decades to come. Of the 28 crew who were onboard, all went down with the ship. None survived.

Yet a GLSHS expedition in the summer of 2021 would uncover the location of steamship Curtis and observe its heavily corroded boiler complete with fascinating antiquated gages. A year later, they laid eyes on schooner Martin, thus completing part of what had long been a puzzle to them.

The sinking of the three vessels carries particular historical significance for they belonged to Hines Lumber, one of the largest lumber companies of the day. That fateful November storm claimed one quarter of their fleet.

The name board of the sunken steamship C.F. Curtis, which was found in 2021. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

A portal in the sunken steamship C.F. Curtis after it was discovered in 2021. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

The heavily corroded boiler of the steamship C.F. Curtis, which sank in 1914 along with two barges. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

(Left) A detached steam whistle from steamship C.F. Curtis, which sank on Lake Superior in 1914; (Right) Boiler gauges from steamship C.F. Curtis. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

Video footage taken of steamship C.F. Curtis in 2021. (Courtesy of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)

“It was a career highlight to have witnessed the discovery of the Marvin 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,” GLSHS board member and maritime historian Ric Mixter said.

Yet the mystery remains incomplete.

The last piece of the puzzle, the still-sunken schooner barge Annie M. Peterson, is still hidden. Next, the explorers hope to find her somewhere beneath Lake Superior.

“It’s one of our goals to find the Peterson,” said Darryl Ertel, GLSHS Director of Marine Operations. “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.”

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