SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. 鈥� In 1940, a ship transporting wheat across Lake Superior hit bad weather and sank with its captain still on board, while the rest of his crew made it to safety. The wreckage has now been found, but questions remain.
On Monday, Feb. 12, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society that the Arlington, a 244-foot bulk carrier, was discovered in Lake Superior more than 600 feet below the surface.
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Shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain originally discovered the anomaly using remote sensing data, and with the help of the historical society鈥檚 resources, confirmed the vessel鈥檚 identity using side-scan sonar and remotely operated vehicles.
But the Arlington and its captain 鈥� 鈥渁 seasoned veteran of the lakes鈥� 鈥� may have both been able to avoid tragedy the day it sank, according to experts.
鈥楴o one will ever know鈥�
On April 30, 1940, under the command of Captain Frederick 鈥淭atey Bug鈥� Burke, the Arlington left Port Arthur, Ontario, for Owen Sound, Ontario, fully loaded with wheat, according to the historical society.
After hitting dense fog, the Arlington鈥檚 first mate, Junis Macksey, ordered a new course along the Canadian North Shore that would provide some cover from wind and waves, according to experts.
Burke, however, disregarded the order and continued across the open lake, the society said.
On May 1, the Arlington began to sink. The crew, without orders from Burke, abandoned ship and were picked up by the Collingwood, a large freighter nearby, according to researchers.
Burke, for reasons 鈥渘o one will ever know,鈥� chose to go down the ship, experts said.
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鈥淢uch speculation followed the sinking of the Arlington and the odd behavior of its master,鈥� researchers said. 鈥淲hy did he go down with his ship鈥hen he easily could have been saved like the rest of his crew?鈥�
The historical society said it hopes this discovery provides 鈥渟ome measure of closure to the family of Captain Burke.鈥�
There are an estimated 10,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, with about 350 of those in Lake Superior, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.
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