The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society is proud to announce the discovery of the Adella Shores, a wooden steamship that went missing May 1, 1909 along with 14 crew members. She was found at the bottom of Lake Superior 40 miles northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan in the summer of 2021.

“Went Missing” is used to describe a vessel that left the dock and was never seen again.

GLHS notes that they often wait to tell the stories of these ships and souls lost so they can be told accurately- with respect and honor.

The Adella Shores had her share of the trouble during her time on the great lakes. She was built in Gibraltar, Michigan in 1984. She measured in at 195 ft and weight in at 735-ton wooden steamer.

The Shores was christened with fresh water instead of champagne and wine. Because the family of the Shores Lumber Company who owned the ship were against alcohol. This could be seen as a bad omen to the sailors.

Additionally, she sank twice in fifteen years in shallow waters, being refloated each time and put back into service.

On April 29, 1909, The Shores was on her way to Duluth with a load of salt, following a larger steel steamship, Daniel J. Morrell, through a thick ice flow.

The Morrell plowed a path through the ice as they went. Both were met by a fierce northeast gale. The Shores was already two miles behind and out of sight of the Morrell. That was the last time until Adella Shores was seen, disappearing with all fourteen crew members.

Some debris was found, but no bodies.