Missing Adella Shores Steamship Discovered 650 Feet Below Lake Superior’s Waters

A ship that went missing near Whitefish Point has been discovered at the bottom of Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced yesterday the discovery of the Adella Shores steamship that had gone missing on May 1st, 1909. Went Missing describes vessels that left the dock and were never seen again, without survivors, or witnesses and are yet to be located. The GLSHS says that the Adella Shores was found more than 40 miles northwest of Whitefish Point 650 feet below water.

Built in 1894, the Adella Shores wooden Steamship was a 195-foot vessel weighing 735 tons and owned by the Shores Lumber Company. The vessel was named for the company owner’s daughter, Adella. At the ship’s christening Adella’s sister Bessie, used a bottle of water opposed to the traditional bottle of champagne, due to the family’s views on alcohol consumption. The christening gave rise to sailor superstitions because in the years following the Adella Shores sunk twice in fifteen years in shallow waters. Each time it was refloated and put back into service.

On April 29th, 1909, the crew set out for Duluth with a load of salt and followed the Daniel J Morrell as it cut a path through the spring ice. As the ships rounded Whitefish Point both were hit by a strong Northeast gale. The Morrell would lose sight of the Shores as it fell two miles behind in the storm, never to be seen again. All fourteen crew members perished, and while some debris was found in a following search, no bodies were recovered.

In 2021 GLSHS Director of Marine Operations Darryl and Dan Ertel were out scanning grids on the lake when they discovered an anomaly, knowing immediately it was likely the Adella Shores by the size and location of the vessel.

Those interested in learning more about the Adella Shores or the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s discovery can find more details and photos here.