The SS Superior City was a pioneering vessel launched in 1898, considered the largest ever built on freshwater at that time. She sailed the Great Lakes for twenty-two years until her tragic sinking in 1920 after colliding with the steamer Willis L. King in Whitefish Bay of Lake Superior. This collision resulted in the loss of 29 lives, making it the worst loss of life in the history of the Pittsburg Steamship Company.
After the collision, controversy arose regarding the circumstances of the accident, and it was ruled that both captains failed to follow the “rules-of-the-road.” The wreck of the Superior City was discovered in 1972 and has since been a popular diving site. However, controversy also surrounded the wreck, with artifacts illegally removed in the past, leading to legal disputes and raids by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Today, the wreck of the Superior City lies in 190 feet to 270 feet of water in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior. It is protected as part of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, serving as an underwater museum and a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. Diving to the wreck requires advanced technical skills due to its depth and challenging conditions, and unfortunately, there have been fatalities associated with explorations of the wreck.
