Lake Michigan Gales & Tales: Vanishing Ships, Tragic Wrecks, and Historic Rescues

The waters of Lake Michigan are a calm and tranquil place--until they aren't.

Lake Mishigami, as the Ojibwe referred to the big waters of Lake Michigan, has a violent side, especially when the winds roar, creating waves that are freshwater giants. These waves have mercilessly taken many ships―along with their crews and passengers―to the bottom. Many have paid a dear price for mistakenly thinking this massive lake is nothing but an oversized pond. A single monstrous storm in November 1880 sank or damaged north of one hundred ships and claimed nearly one hundred lives. But tragedy on the lake is so often met with heroism by those who brave carnage to save their fellow man. Lake Michigan can go from serene to devilish in less than an hour. Author Michael Passwater delves into these transformations and their aftermaths.