Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes: Lost Beneath the Waves (Full Episode) | National Geographic

[@NatGeo]

Technology has made it easier to plumb the oceans for sunken ships. But experts warn that it’s not “finders keepers” for the treasures that lay inside: on.natgeo.com/3s4lOBH

[@saxplayingcompnerd]

* its not finders keepers if you tell someone.

[@PROPAINTERSOFGEORGIA]

Who’s gonna stop anyone

[@TransDrummer1312]

@@PROPAINTERSOFGEORGIAthe Canadian coast guard slapping a whopping million dollar fine on you? Also the lake itself lmao that water's deadly.

[@unspheredwings7859]

It is if you file a salvage claim. The only exceptions are warships. The titanic could legally be salvaged by the company that owns the claim on it

[@belindatrousdale4876]

Born an raised on the Great Lakes of Michigan. I have been to every maritime museum and light house along Michigan's shores. I have read and bought many books regarding all of the ship wrecks. I still can't get enough. Thank you

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Nothing compares to riding a CG 41 foot rescue boat through 21 foot seas at full throttle on a rescue sortie. Later, when you grow older and read a book like "Ten Hours Until Dawn" do you realize how fortunate you were to be just a tiny part of the maritime story. I wish I could go back but there are still the maritime museums and lighthouses you mention. Sounds like great fun!

[@AmieESharaf]

I so appreciate the moment of silence for the captain and crew members lost and the salute. So beautiful - thank you!

[@Brock_Landers]

I have been researching maritime history for the last 35 years of my life and while I do know of quite a few of the Great Lakes most historic lost ships, there are still many that I don't know about. However, I have alot of respect for the captains and crews of all of these ships, so I will always stand in salute for them all. When historians research the shipwrecks they tend to focus on only the ships, but I try to understand why the wrecks occurred in the first place, and how the crew dealt with it, so there's no way that I could ever forget about the human loss of the accidents.

[@kimmccabe1422]

Yes 😢

[@VEXG32]

@@MangoTroubles-007So you don’t care about the lives that were lost during these ship wrecks? Wow that’s pathetic.

[@VEXG32]

@@Brock_LandersExactly the same with me. Id love to learn more about these wrecks. It’s the human element I wonder about too in those final moments.

[@lindajuno7624]

Super! Enjoyed it completely. Being born and raised in Duluth and experiencing the lakes waves and cold first hand this reminded me of the " ocean like" weather.❤

[@artemis009]

I have studied about ocean shipwrecks since I was 8 but I never knew there were so many wrecks in the Great Lakes. I never realized how big the lakes were until I started watching specials about them and they basically called them mini oceans. Ever since then, I have become fascinated with these wrecks. And respect the lakes and their storms enough to know I never ever want to be caught on them when one of the autumn storms hits.

[@priscillaross-fox9407]

I've been at or in 3 of these lakes. I live not far from L. Michigan but L. Superior is my favorite. You should really try to visit any one of them.

[@vicgon9455]

We live in Sturgeon Bay WI, Deaths Door, which is about 40 miles north of us in Gills Rock, is a popular area for shipwrecks.

[@2nicnag2]

I live an hour from a fishery that is dedicated to increasing sturgeon population

[@morewi]

Isn't there a canal around there so ships can avoid dangerous waters

[@buphullo]

I was raised in Illinois but spent lots of time living on my Grandma's farm up in Door County. One of the happiest places on Earth

[@JonnyJetson754]

Door county 🚪 🥸

[@claire33ist]

Lake Superior will never be safe, she truly never gives up her dead. I live in Superior WI

[@1927su]

I was 15 when the gales of November came. I’ll never forget that sad & horrible feeling, when I first heard about the loss of the Edmond Fitz.

[@theoriginalkyttyn7724]

I was 7 at the time but I remember the news station out of Milwaukee covering that the Fitz had been lost. I didn't really understand what that meant, but I remember my dad's face draining of color. I knew he was bothered but it wasn't until a few years later after hearing Gordon Lightfoot's tribute to the Fitz that my dad explained things clearly. It terrified me but never deterred me from the waters of the Lakes. I gave nothing but respect for those waters.

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

Dont know how I got here....but SURE DID STAY ! Thanks I now have a New Interest👍

[@grayhatjen5924]

@TimeWarpedWithShelia It's sooooo fascinating. I've lived just inland of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania my whole life and this topic still will forever be fascinating to me. ✌🏻

[@critterscute3642]

Once you’re hooked on Great Lakes maritime, so much to learn and watch. Enjoy your journey!

[@christinagowan8116]

I got started with shipwrecks by being introduced to Titanic (I know a ton of info about it) I swear my husband gets so tired of hearing about the Titanic, I knew being from Michigan we had shipwrecks in the Great Lakes but I didn't realize until very recently just how many, I've been watching documentary after documentary and still can't get enough.

[@douglasabler3581]

I watched this remembering my dad, who was in the Coast Guard in the early 50s. He spent time in the North Atlantic and was involved in some scary sea rescues. We lived 30 minutes from Sheboygan, WI and he did some fishing on Lake Michigan. He always said that weather on that lake could get every bit as bad -or worse- than the ocean.

[@jeffpotipco736]

That's because salt water is denser. Waves on the ocean rise and swell and tend to run in one direction. Waves on the lakes bounce all over and collide with each other. The night the Daniel J Morrell sank, the wind was blowing one way and the sea was running the other.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

I have had my share of CG galley coffee at Lake Michigan shore station duty. Your dad was absolutely right.

[@travismiles5885]

I grew up in Port Huron, MI. I love the maritime history of The Great Lakes.

[@rebekahashe4023]

I enjoyed this documentary. I guess it's the unknown that is interesting and fascinating to me. The tragedies of shipwrecks is terrible of course, but the lengths explorers go to find and keep the remembrance of the lost ships alive is amazing, and I think a bit heroic.

[@StandedInUtah]

I live a mile from Lake Michigan on the Michigan side. Some days the lake will be flat and smooth. Other days it is like the ocean with high waves rolling in. The beach changes year to year. Winter storms are the landscapers. I don't mean little changes but a complete redistribution of the sand from North to South or the opposite. It's amazing to see such power!

[@priscillaross-fox9407]

Sometime in the mid to late 1970s L. Michigan decided it didn't want the homes there any longer. I happened to know someone who lived in one of them before this happened. I thought it great they had this lake within walking distance, not so much as we watched that small neighborhood disappear. I walked inside one that was being washed away. I often wondered why they didn't take it out of the water or move it before the lake took it. This area eventually became Illinois Beach State Park.

[@joannadee3565]

Thank you! Very interesting. I used to live in Racine County, WI. There are a lot of small planes in Lake Michigan also!

[@190justo]

WWII fighter planes

[@Hippiegypsy-q3t]

A lot of War Planes.. Between Wisconsin and Michigan that was used for Training of our military Planes... Private planes maybe..But no big jet liner are you going to be found there....I live in Wisconsin.. Right off our down town lake front.. Lake Drive

[@stephanieann622]

I know this is coming out of nowhere but I think you would also like something I recently watched. I can’t stop thinking about it, it’s a beautiful yet sad story about a couple that crashed their Cessna 150 in Montana. It was in 220 feet of water. I apologize for not having more specifics but it’s on Dateline. It happened in 1982, the lady was Dianne Babcock and the man’s name was Jerry. I don’t remember his last name. Give it a watch, it’s worth it!!

[@warriyorcat]

There was that one Northwest flight that disappeared in the 50s that's still probably down there

[@Qrocket68]

Big old boats is an excellent channel to watch if anybody loves this kind of stuff. Or maritime horrors.

[@robinshankland3499]

Yes! Also, Part Time Explorer is also really good.

[@Buddystemz]

I can’t deal with the lisp of the narrator. I tried

[@sub-zero710]

@@BuddystemzYou’re not very tolerant, are you?

[@suzanne9150]

SUPERIOR IS SO COLD, MOST SHIPWRECKS DON'T HAVE ALGAE. I have vacationed many times in Grand Marais. Most vessels looking for a safe harbor went to Grand Marais. There used to be a Coast Guard Station there. That was the last stop for the Edmund Fitzgerald before it went down in Superior.

[@claire33ist]

Their bodies are most likely still in good shape in the Edmond down there, it’s so cold so nothing would eat their bodies etc. the captain was in a hurry, author Anderson stayed behind and new to take it slow….heavy taconite as well

[@dylan9025]

@claire33ist There's actually footage of a diving crew, sadly basically grave robbing, disturbing the bodies on the Fitz. There isn't much left. But for preserved bodies in the lake, look up the SS Kamloops!

[@TransDrummer1312]

@@claire33istaccording to the divers that went down to get the Fitz' bell, there were intact bodies down there as far back as the late 90s. Not sure if any public statement on the state of the lost sailor's remains has been released since then.

[@claire33ist]

@@TransDrummer1312 oh I know they’re definitely still intact and down there. Too cold for any bacteria etc

[@KathrynWebster-y3u]

I have spent a lot of time on the shores of a Lake Superior camping with my kids and husband. For beauty, rockhounds, teaching your children science it cannot be beat,

[@yankee1219]

What an absolutely wonderful documentary about the great lake shipwreck's. I live in niagara falls new york not too far from lake erie and lake ontario, and one of my favorite places to camp is golden hill state park and there are numerous shipwrecks All along Lake Ontario Near golden Hill state park and 30 mile point lighthouse. I would definitely love to see another documentary showcasing some of the shipwrecks from Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

[@JunkYardCardGuy]

The looks on the faces of the men who saw the Marvin's name was incredible.

[@ericerto8250]

If they were to recover that lumber down there you know how much that would be worth not to mention how beautiful it probably is

[@Hippiegypsy-q3t]

That would be to easy and to much Common sense for that to be considered of the County who controls the part of Lake Michigan...

[@claire33ist]

It was taconite for the Edmond, came from the taconite facility of BNSF in superior wi, my town. My dad worked for BN for 30 years, at that specific main office….our well my grandpa was on the Edmond Fitzgerald.

[@TransDrummer1312]

That lumber would start to rot immediately if you brought it to the surface. It's worthless after so long.

[@kimmccabe1422]

My exact thoughts

[@williamdesmarais4931]

​@TransDrummer1312 Wrong. Lumber that has been submerged for a long time fetches a high premium. Bog wood is a prime example.

[@TheKräken713]

If they wanted the most accurate weather report, they should've had my great-grandmother. Her arthritis could predict storms very accurately.

[@Toolshedthewatchdog]

Thank you for this episode 😮

[@curtisackenbrack2669]

Good Lord what a horrible way to die. To still be alive in that ship while it sinks. I pray for every soul that was lost on that lake. May God accept them all into His bosom, & may they dwell in His Heavenly Kingdom forever. Amen

[@angielala9453]

Thank You Captain Darrel

[@skeeterinnewjersey5256]

I've never heard a storm in the Great Lakes referred to as a "freak storm." Storms stir up there in a split second in November all the time.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I've been fishing with my dad in the ocean in a 15ft aluminium boat. The waves hit about a minute after the squall hit us. This show gives me PTSD. It goes from calm like in this show to huge waves like shown in seconds. Mariners are gutsy. RIP.

[@adamm535]

Pretty awesome for sure so cool. Fascinating. 😎

[@johnengland8619]

Thanks for the content, excellent

[@mellissadalby1402]

I'm guessing in the days of the L.R. Doty they didn't pay out enough tow line to form a suffucuent catenary curve, which is today a common technique to absorb the shock of the storm waves between a tug and a tow.

[@cdfdesantis699]

Really fascinating!

[@Hippiegypsy-q3t]

What about the Edmans Fitzgerald Ship ⚓.. Carrying Iron ore...29 Crew members die... The singer Lightfoot wrote the song and sang it

[@barbaraellis6637]

My favorite song😊

[@cvrnivore9572]

the same team that found the curtis and the marvin found fitz awhile ago. they even managed to bring up the bell. it's displayed in the museum at whitefish point

[@louisecotulla4296]

I'm from Texas, so this is all foreign territory for me, but my husband was born and raised in Saginaw. We took a couple of road trips to MI in the 90s and went up to Whitefish point before the museum was there or rather it was just a building that was closed. A cold and lonely place in late October it was, too.

[@GIplaty]

Wow, this is very interesting and will put together documentary.

[@ericlakota1847]

Thinking of giant ship wreck next to Milwaukee is somthing most of us never think of coast of Milwaukee

[@mariasussman-rb9em]

Great video

[@ro6742]

I was born and raised on the shores of Lake Michigan. Sailing and fishing. My family ran two charter boats. I am in all manner of description….A LOCAL. And I can tell you with absolute authority that we have NEVER referred to Great Lakes storms as “Weather Bombs”. 🙄

[@michaelbeattie5609]

So the crew looking for the Curtis and her ships in tow found her and the Marvin. Were they able to find the Peterson as well?

[@CDScarber]

From what I can tell, they have not found the Peterson. This footage is from either 2021 or 2022. But they did find another wreck: another WW1 steel bulk freighter named Huronton.

[@michaelbeattie5609]

@@CDScarber Thanks! That's really cool!

[@diachilders3271]

It blows my mind to see how clear the water is in these videos.

[@talanigreywolf7110]

Is it strange that when people mention shipwrecks and Lake Superior I think, "Edmund Fitzgerald"?

[@190justo]

No why

[@jakew37]

It's a banger song too

[@tinypoolmodelshipyard]

No, Fitz is the superstar of the Lake. Shes the Titanic out there, the largest ship to be lost on the lakes.

[@grayhatjen5924]

​@tinypoolmodelshipyard I've been a Titanic nerd since I was about 5 (1982), and I 100% concur. The Eddie Fitz is absolutely the Titanic of the Great Lakes. Now, some would quibble with that point for this reason or that, but when it comes to notoriety, there's no contest. And yeah, the song is an absolute banger.

[@tinypoolmodelshipyard]

@@grayhatjen5924 agreed

[@tc1718]

I lived in Chicago for most of my life and grew up with stories of wrecks in the Great Lakes.

[@rachelolvera9435]

Amazing

[@IlacquaShaun]

Appreciate the hilarious 'instant regret fails' video!

[@angielala9453]

Mini oceans 🌊!!!!

[@daffyduck9901]

Not really

[@clydeblue6483]

I found the Juan De Iturbe flagship. I have exact coordinates and photo evidence. Will you help me recover it?? I need help!! 50/50 split.

[@RobertBurggraf]

Born on the Great Lakes I can see that it’s dying . Especially lake Erie . No ice in winter and pollution in the summer . Had my own trout line when I was 14 and winter ice boat.. 😢

[@tuxedotservo]

The Olive Jeanette herself would later be lost, sinking as the tow of the steamer Iosco during a storm on Lake Superior on September 2nd, 1905. Both ships went down with all hands - including the cook on the Olive Jeanette mentioned in the video. The Olive Jeanette was found in the 1990's in 300 feet of water off the Huron Islands. The Iosco has not been found.

[@Endruss2025]

You have to pick and choose when to swim in them even. Both Superior and Huron have kept me far back with their wave action. Erie is so shallow, the rip tides are deadly!

[@BearWithMe-Jillian]

I loved learning about the discoveries of the different lost ships, but one thing I wish had been answered, since they brought it up, is, why did the cook lie about her name?

[@jbrobertson6052]

I'm wondering why with the millions of board feet of lumber on the Marvin 15:30ish why it never floated? Unless it was so green and soaking wet when it was cut then it wouldn't float, but I was surprised to see all that lumber still sitting there

[@richsims6870]

I think we should all have a moment of silence for our unfortunate brothers who lost their lives.

[@amizing6915]

great footage...wow

[@dlindemann8711]

really like these Nat Geo videos but they set ads counter to maximum

[@RobertBoyles-bo5qm]

As a wood worker, 3 million board feet hurts...

[@Bryanja81]

Is it possible the Marvin was originally the last in tow, but if all the ropes broke and the Curtis was trying to recover the other boats, a tow line may have ended up on the stern of the Marvin and ultimately the Curtis paid the price for turning broadside while trying to save the other schooners. Just a theory.

[@cking91182]

I live in Rochester NY, right on lake Ontario

[@StellaGrose]

My last name was Peterson.. I'm from Michigan up by me traverse City I live very close to lake Michigan..I was born in Detroit and was a orphan the very next day...I love ships and being on the water..I live next to Torch lk .. every one says I look scandanavion

[@ImogenC-rt3fm]

I'm such a salt water snob. Waves? Waves?! On a lake?! WOW. And YIKES.

[@JoJorocks69]

It’s crazy to think that I am growing up on this lake and around as it’s harsh crazy conditions

[@a.perkins89]

Zull or Zool however they spelt it was the building builder

[@lmc958]

I'm amazed at the weather on a lake! I always thought those kinds of conditions only existed on the ocean! Unbelievable! And scary!

[@EDCsteals]

8:43 is that remains of a body? On the right side it looks like the leg b is nes sticking out of the pants and even a shoe next to them. I forget exactly why they say there are no bodies at the wreck of the Titanic. I believe I heard it was something to do with the salt water content or the extreme pressure from being so far underwater

[@TheShadow_2023]

It would be pretty cool if somehow the Curtis could be raised to the surface somehow. I know it’s probably a grave site for its crew but the ship looks pretty much intact

[@AdamHoch1289]

100% should collaborate with part time explorer and oceanliner designs

[@jeffpotipco736]

I watch Mike Brady too.

[@stevefranklin9920]

It seems like the Great Lakes were constantly in danger of storms that would blow up unawaringly leaving any ships that would venture out at risk of the loss of the cargo, the ships, and most of all, the crew. It had to have been a gamble going out on the lakes.

[@nancyweliczko9334]

I grew up by Lake Michigan its a gorgeous lake but could be very dangerous too.

[@nghiado9895]

7:04 - isn't the saying "turn on a dime"? What's "change on a dime"?

[@grayhatjen5924]

@nghiado9895 Side note: These definitions could be regionally specific. "Turn on a dime" is generally in relation to the physical movement an object altering, be it a vehicle or person. "Change on a dime" is generally about weather, though in some cases it could refer to a person's mood.

[@tundrawomansays694]

⁠@@grayhatjen5924Hey, thank you for explaining the difference. Learn something new every day ;-)

[@grayhatjen5924]

@tundrawomansays694 No problem! I'm a genealogist/history & language nerd. The number of phrases I've learned from old newspapers is unreal.

[@jeffhowland867]

Stop on a dime comes to mind as well.

[@gunnarthefeisty]

Another ghost ship is out there- the S.S. Chicora. Soon she may be found.

[@rottenroads1982]

The Great Lakes have waves as big as the Oceans, but are Closer together, and thus, More Deadly.

[@donaldfuller5041]

I'd like to find that Civil War gold

[@squanderbird1]

Ah yes, the time before “Anxiety” was recognized. There’s no “I” in team!!

[@jeffhowland867]

Oh they recognized it. Then they gave you a quick smack across the chops and told you to get ahold of yourself.

[@GrayWolf420]

I'm curious where's the wreck of the Peterson? They only showed two of the three ships lost. Unless it's at the very end. but if not kinda disappointing. To only show two out of the three. I'll edit if it shows otherwise.

[@tammysims8716]

Since it is common knowledge that November is the most deadliest month to sail the Great Lakes with the most shipwrecks and fatalities out of every other month, so why sail in November? Let me guess, money. Profits over persons.

[@ericlakota1847]

Deep divers crack me up all the bottles hanging off them

[@victoriagreenfield5781]

This was good but hardly watchable because of an ad every 3 fricken minutes.

[@unicornman147]

The lake, it is said/Never gives up her dead/When the gales of November turn gloomy

[@denniscrane9753]

Dude said we had good weather forecasting in 1914 😂

[@2moosepie]

I was on Washington Island before

[@Grasshopper9000]

What happened to the Peterson

[@goldendreamer2122]

I would probably be willing to give a hundred thousand dollars to have enough of the lumber from the wreck to make a 30 ft wooden trawler. In memorial of the sunken vessel of course.

[@ericlakota1847]

I've always wanted to hit the great lakes sence I was young kid just so hard to picture the shure size

[@Loader138]

Born and raised in Michigan, we sometimes forget the enormity of the lakes. I've been on every one of them and they are truly amazing. They are literally inland oceans.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

It's impossible to explain the enormity of them. They literally create their own weather. They are astoundingly huge and must be respected if not healthily feared when navigating. They don't give up their dead without a fight.

[@travismiles5885]

​@@Loader138I grew up in Port Huron Michigan on Lake Huron and the St Clair river. I live in North Carolina now. And I never realized how much I took the water for granted

[@PhuoctanNguyen-j3c]

❤❤😊😊

[@CharoletteWade-mg3qq]

Remember the lakes are fresh water mot salt water so the ships and going to be like they were when they sailed the lakes.

[@porkturtle8321]

Huh?

[@Bornstandingup]

The legend lives on from the chippawah down to the big lake they call citgagoomy?? 😢

[@1927su]

Gitchagummi?

[@MrCarsandguitars]

Dat dodge neon wit da rims doe

[@LeonBurnsIII]

Please don't share their heartbreaks 🚪

[@kamarlonwalker4891]

❤👍🏽💯

[@joeanderson9852]

👍👏

[@solarindependentutilitysystems]

Need some Solar on that ship ! Author of Solar Independent Utility Systems Manual online

[@garylivingstone9274]

How is it sea floor in a lake?

[@kaylawilcoxon3403]

Lake Superior is an inland sea

[@kavi212]

Am I the only one who thinks the only mystery here is the chef? 😆 why is she using a fake name? Was there no crew manifest? It makes no sense to me to use a fake name. Was she the only survivor and if so how? They couldn’t talk to anyone else?

[@kathrynaston6841]

I believe it is possible for the British government to REQUIRE Prince Harry to anpply for and obtain a visa in order to return to the UK. They can do it based on security issues and the need to know and prepaid for his entrance into the country. Even though he is a citizen, they are able to restrict or control movement of its citizens for security reasons. I think it would be an excellent thing to do. That way, Harry will HAVE to tell them when he’s coming and where he plans to go prior to passing through customs. Also, if they WANT, they CAN put a rescind his passport making it impossible for him to travel to all of these foreign countries. Of course, Meghan can go, but I’m fairly certain she won’t be such a hot commodity without Harry. Harry could apply for US citizenship, but then he really does give up ALL titles, but he would be free to travel as a private US citizen. It would be a far better punishment than taking away a stupid, meaningless title that doesn’t come with an estate and a hereditary voting right in the House of Lords.

[@stevefranklin9920]

I wonder if they're too far down to salvage any of the lumber they were carrying? I know that type of wood is in high demand these days.

[@theoneandonly6115]

Well it’s submerged under water… so that may pose an issue.

[@warriyorcat]

Can't salvage because they're designated as underwater gravesites or are in protected areas. You'd face hefty fines, jailtime, and the wrath of the citizens surrounding the Great Lakes.

[@nicholasgreenway610]

People should stop making this style of documentary. No interviews no nonsense, just a narrator.

[@ronaldwoozlib9874]

There are plenty like that out there, if you don’t like it don’t watch. There’s nothing wrong with this style you just don’t like it. Very strange and entitled that you want people to stop a complete film style just bc it’s annoying to you. No one is forcing you to watch it.

[@TheFallen1013]

I don’t even think that any iron ore freighter move when the lake has a gale warning for the lake…

[@chris_chitown97]

Lake Michigan, Chicago

[@bennybongosbigolebonanza894]

I knew a girl named Gayle November. Left a lot of guys in her wake, lemme tell yah.

[@tom-c1j2p]

Laughing at the dead sailors

[@angielala9453]

Learn to eat them lol😂

[@jjfore0921]

Fun

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

do they have turtles on the great lakes? If they sdo would you tug on your turtle out at sea

[@ericlakota1847]

To bad couldent pay working ships to tow sonar scans some one needs to invent one to be towed buy ships and east deployed to map the floor instead of just you all looking for needle on hay would be more affective to have a bunch of scanes I'd bet that lumber is still buildable and amazing lumber not like garbage of today

[@karakreger]

M m B 😅😅 😅