Lost Tugboat Found in Lake Superior: Uncovering the Mystery of the Satellite’s Sinking

Researchers and a television crew searching for two French warships lost in Lake Superior over a century ago made an unexpected discovery. Instead of finding the naval ships, they stumbled upon a tugboat that mysteriously sank in 1879. The tugboat, named the Satellite, had not been seen for 142 years until it was found by the team of researchers led by Josh Gates, the host of “Expedition Unknown.” The discovery was announced by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society.

The Satellite was on a routine trip from Detroit to Duluth, Minnesota, towing four schooner barges when it sprang a leak on June 21, 1879. Despite efforts to stop the leak, the ship’s captain and crew were unable to save it, and it sank in around 300 feet of water. The cause of the sinking is still debated, with some accounts suggesting a mechanical problem and others claiming it struck a log.

Lake Superior, which borders Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, is the final resting place of around 350 ships, with at least half of them remaining undiscovered. Among the missing ships are the two French warships, the Inkerman and the Cerisoles, that the researchers were originally searching for. These minesweepers were built in Michigan for the French military during World War I but disappeared during a storm in 1918 on their maiden voyage to Europe through the Soo Locks.

The discovery of the Satellite, although not the intended find, is still considered a significant victory. The tugboat, despite being a working vessel, was known for its beauty and elaborate design. Images from the remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V.) used to explore the wreck showed the Satellite sitting upright, almost like a ship in a bottle. The team even spotted a compass in the sand next to the wreck.

While the source of the Satellite’s demise may never be determined, the discovery of shipwrecks like these continues to captivate people’s imaginations. Shipwrecks offer a glimpse into the past and connect us to history in a profound way. As the search for the Inkerman and Cerisoles continues, the finding of the Satellite serves as a reminder of the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of Lake Superior.

What is the significance of the unearthing of the long-lost tugboat, the Satellite, in Lake Superior

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In a fascinating turn of events, researchers and a television crew exploring the depths of Lake Superior stumbled upon a long-lost tugboat instead of the French warships they were searching for. The tugboat, named the Satellite, had been missing for an astounding 142 years before it was discovered by the team led by the renowned host of “Expedition Unknown,” Josh Gates. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society proudly announced this unexpected find.

Back in 1879, the Satellite was on its routine journey from Detroit to Duluth, Minnesota, towing four schooner barges when disaster struck. A sudden leak emerged on June 21, and despite desperate attempts to save the vessel, it succumbed to the waters, sinking to a depth of approximately 300 feet. The exact cause of its sinking remains a topic of debate, with some attributing it to a mechanical malfunction while others speculate it struck a submerged log.

Lake Superior, which borders Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, is the eternal resting place of roughly 350 ships, more than half of which are still awaiting discovery. Among these lost vessels were the two French warships, the Inkerman and the Cerisoles, that initially prompted the researchers’ expedition. Commissioned by the French military during World War I and constructed in Michigan, these minesweepers vanished without a trace during a ferocious storm in 1918 while en route to Europe via the Soo Locks.

Although the Satellite wasn’t the intended discovery, its unearthing is undeniably a massive triumph. This working tugboat was renowned for its astounding beauty and intricate design. Captured images from the remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V.) utilized to explore the wreckage showcased the Satellite poised upright, resembling a ship delicately contained within a bottle. Remarkably, the team also spotted a compass lying amidst the sand next to the wreck.

While the true cause of the Satellite’s demise may forever remain a mystery, the unearthing of shipwrecks like this one continues to enrapture the imaginations of countless individuals. Shipwrecks, with their ties to the past, possess an incomparable power to connect us with history in a profound and meaningful manner. As efforts persist in the search for the Inkerman and Cerisoles, the discovery of the Satellite serves as a poignant reminder of the enigmatic wonders waiting beneath the turbulent waters of Lake Superior.