GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECKS Recommended reading

Brown, David G. White Hurricane: A Great Lakes November Gale and America's Deadliest Maritime Disaster. Camden, Maine: International Marine and McGraw-Hill, 2002.

The White Hurricane of November 7, 1913 became the worst Great Lakes storm on record: twelve ships sank, and thirty-one more were stranded on rocks and beaches. In this account, nautical writer Brown uses firsthand accounts and contemporary newspaper reports to re-create the desperate struggles of man vs. the lakes.

Thompson, Mark L. Graveyard of the Lakes. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2000.

A historian and seasoned sailor, Thompson examines Great Lakes shipwrecks that have ocurred over the last 300 years to find their causes.  He suggests that most have resulted from human error, ranging from simple mistakes to obvious lack of skill.

Wolff, Julius Frederic and Thom Holden. Julius F. Wolff Jr.'s Lake Superior Shipwrecks. Duluth, Minn.: Lake Superior Port Cities, 1990.

This inclusive summary of the maritime history of Lake Superior contains information on more than 1,700 vessels.  Readers will also appreciate the 200 historical photographs and comprehensive bibliography.

Cooper, David J. and John O. Jensen. Davidson's Goliaths: Underwater Archeological Investigations of the Steamer Frank O'Connor and the Schooner-Barge Pretoria. Madison: State Underwater Archaeology Program, Division of Historic Preservation, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1995.

This State Historical Society publication resulted from intensive archeological investigation of two shipwrecked vessels constructed by legendary Great Lakes shipbuilder, James Davidson. The wreck of the Pretoria is off the Apostle Islands and the Frank O'Conner is off Door County. 

Marshall, James R. Shipwrecks of Lake Superior. Duluth, Minn.: Lake Superior Port Cities, 1987.

This collection of writings by and for divers and historians provides a look at Lake Superior's best known wrecks. Intended as an overview, the book includes excellent underwater photos in color.

Bishop, Hugh E. and Dudley Paquette. The Night the Fitz Went Down. Duluth, Minn.: Lake Superior Port Cities, 2000.

Captain Paquette was on Lake Superior the night the Edmund Fitzgerald went down.  He experienced the storm firsthand and has formulated his own theory about the sinking of the Fitzgerald.

Lenihan, Daniel. Shipwrecks of Isle Royale National Park: the Archeological Survey. Duluth, Minn.: Lake Superior Port Cities, 1994.

Some of America's most famous shipwrecks lay within the boundaries of Isle Royale National Park.  This edited version of a book originally published by the National Park Service contains archaeological site maps and locational information for all the wrecks within the park.

Ratigan, William. Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals. S.l.: Galahad Books, 2000.

In this well-written book, Ratigan tells the stories of the most spectacular shipwrecks on each of the Great Lakes.  Over 60 pages are devoted to the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Oleszewski, Wes. Mysteries and Histories: Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. Marquette, Mich.: Avery Color Studios, 1997.

The author of seven books on Great Lakes maritime history, Oleszewski concentrates on 17 unsolved and little-known Great Lakes shipwrecks. 

Oleszewski, Wes. Ghost Ships, Gales and Forgotten Tales: True Adventures on the Great Lakes. Marquette, Mich.: Avery Color Studios, 1996.

An excellent writer and researcher, Oleszewski concentrates on some of the lesser-known stories of the Great Lakes.  His goal is to examine the obscure lake events that "have been under-reported, or forgotten altogether."

Keller, James M. The 'Unholy' Apostles: Shipwreck Tales of the Apostle Islands. Chelsea, Mich.: Bookcrafters, 1993.

This is a carefully-researched shipwreck history of the Chequamegon Bay area of Lake Superior--comprehensive, authoritative and exciting reading!