Historical Events tagged with "lake michigan"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Squall Capsizes Boats on Lake Michigan

September 23rd, 1967 57 years ago

A sudden squall struck Lake Michigan during the inaugural coho salmon sport fishing season, leading to serious accidents involving boats. Seven individuals lost their lives, while 46 others sustained injuries as more than 150 boats capsized under the tumultuous conditions. Fishermen, who had gathered for the fishing season, were caught off guard by the violent winds and waves, causing chaos on the water.

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Accidents & Tragedies

PS Lady Elgin Capsizes on Lake Michigan

September 8th, 1860 164 years ago

The PS Lady Elgin, a passenger steamship, sank in Lake Michigan with a loss of around 300 lives. This tragic maritime disaster occurred during a storm while the ship was on its way from Milwaukee to Chicago. The ship had been carrying passengers who were returning home after a theater performance in Milwaukee. The stormy waters and resultant capsizing caused one of the deadliest maritime incidents in the Great Lakes' history.

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Exploration & Discovery

Le Griffon Navigates Upper Great Lakes

August 7th, 1679 345 years ago

The brigantine Le Griffon, built by René-Robert Cavelier, embarked on a historic voyage in the upper Great Lakes. Constructed in 1679 near Fort Frontenac, this vessel was the first ship specifically designed for the Great Lakes, navigating waters that had not been traversed by Europeans in a significant way before. Cavelier and his crew aimed to establish trade routes and explore the region, marking a crucial point in the European exploration of North America.

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