Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration examining wreckage in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary say they’ve likely found two historically significant ships lost to Lake Huron long ago.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) examining wreckage in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary say they’ve likely found two historically significant ships lost to Lake Huron long ago.
The vessels, believed to be the wooden ship Ohio and the steel-hulled steamer Choctaw, were reportedly first spotted in late May and more thoroughly investigated between June and August.
According to NOAA, “In September 1894, wooden bulk carrier Ohio departed Duluth, Minnesota, for Ogdensburg, New York, loaded with a cargo of grain. This transit required Ohio to cross Lake Superior, pass through the Soo Locks, then traverse Lake Huron, past Presque Isle and Thunder Bay. Along this route, Ohio encountered heavy weather and busy shipping lanes, a dangerous, yet all too common, combination.” 
It collided with a schooner and sank within a half an hour. There were approximately 20 survivors and 5 victims. 
Choctaw, which had managed to escape a number of close calls during its career, was hit with a, “fatal blow…on July 12, 1915 off Presque Isle” when it was struck by a Canadian steamship. 
It took only 7 minutes to sink, but all lives on board were spared. 
NOAA notes, “Although these new shipwrecks are tentatively identified as Ohio and Choctaw, additional research is needed to complete their stories.”