Sanctuary Lecture Series: Propeller Russia

Join Great Lakes shipwreck enthusiast Mark Gammage, as he shares the tragic story of the 19th century package freighter RUSSIA!

This presentation will chronicle the history of the propeller RUSSIA from being built in Buffalo, NY in 1872, incidents during its 37-year career, to its foundering during a violent gale new Detour, Michigan on the evening of April 30th, 1909.

The foundering (meaning to fill with water and sink) is brought to life with a firsthand account from the lone passenger Alexander Mathers. The survival of the crew was possible by being able to navigate to the safety of the mouth of the St. Mary’s River with the aid of the Point Detour lighthouse.

Accounts from the lighthouse logbook, written by the keeper William Campbell, describe the inclement weather and the loss of the RUSSIA.

The search for the RUSSIA covered decades and were conducted by well known and successful shipwreck hunters. A historical perspective is given along with underwater video of the ship and its cargo. A short power point presentation will share that along with a personal account of a crew member.

This will be a captivating evening!
Doors open at 6:30pm and this is FREE to all.
For more information call 989.884.6200.

*programs are subject to change

**photos provided by the Patrick Labadie Collection in the Thunder Bay Research Collection at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Library and work by the artist Robert McGreevy titled “RUSSIA”