The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has made a remarkable discovery deep within Lake Superior – the wreckage of the SS Arlington, a WWII-era bulk carrier. The ship, which sank on May 1, 1940, lies approximately 35 miles off the northernmost tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

The SS Arlington, a 244-foot vessel loaded with wheat, was en route to Owen Sound in Ontario, Canada, when it met its tragic fate. However, what makes this shipwreck particularly intriguing is the baffling decisions made by its captain, Frederick "Tatey Bug" Burke.

Captain Burke, displaying peculiar behavior, chose not to be easily rescued by a nearby ship like the rest of the crew. Instead, he went down with the Arlington and was last seen waving from near the ship's pilothouse just minutes before it sank beneath the waves.

Shipwreck researcher Dan Fountain, in collaboration with the GLSHS, announced the findings of their deep-water exploration. Fountain, who has devoted the past decade to studying shipwrecks, chanced upon an anomaly in Lake Superior's remote-sensing data. He sought the society's expertise and, together with GLSHS Director of Marine Operations Darryl Ertel, utilized side-scan sonar to confirm the presence of a shipwreck in the area. A subsequent dive with a remote-operated vehicle positively identified the wreckage as the long-lost SS Arlington.

The Arlington's demise occurred on a treacherous day marked by dense fog and stormy conditions. Despite the first mate's attempt to seek shelter along the Canadian North Shore, Captain Burke overruled the order and steered the ship back onto its original course across the open lake. Eventually, at around 4:30 a.m. on May 1, the Arlington began to sink. Without orders from the captain, the crew abandoned ship, successfully reaching the safety of the nearby freighter, the Collingwood. Tragically, Captain Burke remained on the sinking ship.

The GLSHS acknowledged the speculation surrounding Captain Burke's decisions and the possibility of an easy rescue. However, the reasons behind his choices will forever remain a mystery. Reports indicate that he was spotted near the pilothouse, waving at the Collingwood just moments before the Arlington descended to its final resting place – at a depth of 650 feet below Lake Superior's surface.

The discovery of the SS Arlington is the result of effective collaboration within the shipwreck research community. GLSHS Executive Director Bruce Lynn expressed gratitude for the dedicated historians and researchers who provided valuable information. Lynn further credited Dan Fountain, a resident of Negaunee, for reaching out to the society with a potential shipwreck target near the Copper Harbor area of Lake Superior. Thanks to Fountain's contact, the Arlington was found, unveiling an intriguing and mysterious tale that may finally provide closure to Captain Burke's family.

To view photographs of the Arlington, please visit the GLSHS website and explore the comprehensive gallery documenting this recent discovery.

In uncovering the secrets of the SS Arlington, yet another chapter in Lake Superior's history has been revealed.