Most people, when they imagine shipwrecks, picture ocean-faring ships overturned by stormy seas. But even in Minnesota, about as far from the ocean as you can get, a few shipwrecks have taken place within our borders. The most famous are in Lake Superior. With its choppy waters and endless depths, it’s no surprise that more than a few ships have met their fate in the lake. Perhaps Minnesota’s unique shipwreck is in Silver Bay, Minnesota. Check out these X fascinating photos to see the shipwreck up close:

The SS Hesper was a steamship that took its maiden voyage in 1890. A wooden ship, the Hesper is unique among Lake Superior's surviving shipwrecks.
Wikimedia Commons
The ship moved goods throughout the Great Lakes. It hauled iron ore and grain from northern Minnesota, playing a vital role in the turn-of-the-century economy.
yooperann/Flickr
But the ship met its fate on May 4, 1905. A late-season snowstorm drove the ship off course, causing it to run aground in Silver Bay, Minnesota. Everyone on board survived, but the ship sunk 42 feet below the water.
Todd Murray/Flickr

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The ship's remains are still there today. Divers have captured the Hesper in its watery grave.
Todd Murray/Flickr
The decks are gone, but the hull is still in pieces on the lake floor.
Todd Murray/Flickr
Rusting bolts and screws stand up in the cloudy, cold waters of the lake.
Elkman/Wikimedia Commons
This unique shipwreck is a fascinating piece of Minnesota history. Its remains are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Todd Murray/Flickr

Have you heard of the SS Hesper? Do you know of any other disasters that happened in Minnesota? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you like old ruins, also check out our article about the Minnesota hike that will take you to an abandoned lighthouse.

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