Straits
of Mackinac Shipwrecks
The Straits of Mackinac, a
relatively narrow body of water seperating Michigans Upper and Lower Peninslas,
and connecting Lakes Michigan and Huron, have always been an interesting study,
from the stories in their long maritime history to the construction of the
Mackinac Bridge which at 8,614 feet, is the longest suspension bridge in the
world. For more than two centuries, the Straits have been an essential component
in the Great Lakes shipping and trading industries, and with such activities
come tales of mighty ships battling the elements, as well as accounts of heroism
and survival, human error and miscalculation, and, inevitably, the loss of life
and property.
Now, Straits of Mackinac Shipwrecks,
the seventeenth installment in its series of shipwreck videos, Southport Video
presents the stories behind four fabled shipwrecks.
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The Sandusky, a beautiful two-masted brig, lost on the Lake Michigan side during a fierce storm on September 20th, 1856;
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The William H. Barnum, a wooden steamer badly in need of repair, torn open by ice on April 3rd, 1894;
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The Eber Ward, a 213-foot freight, similarly defeated by ice on April 20th, 1909; and
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The Cedarville, a massive ore carrier, which met its demise on May 7th, 1965, when a combination of thick fog and human error led to a terrible collision with a Norwegian vessel.
Each of these ships offers a
fascinating history and Straits of Mackinac Shipwrecks examines these histories
with help from rare photos, beautiful paintings and drawings, riveting accounts
from Great Lakes maritime historians, and even, in the case of the Cederville,
accounts from two survivors. Captivating underwater footage takes viewers to the
sites of the shipwrecks today, providing a close-up loo at these historical
vessels.
Time:
60 Minutes
Leverbaar
€ 29.95