Heart Starts Pounding: Episode 129 – Unsolved Mysteries of The Great Lakes: Ghost Ships, Lost Crews & Ancient Curses
Release Date: July 24, 2025
In this thrilling episode of Heart Starts Pounding, host Kayla Moore delves deep into the eerie and unexplained mysteries surrounding the Great Lakes. From ghost ships to ancient curses, the episode uncovers the dark secrets lying beneath the surface of these vast freshwater bodies. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode.
1. Introduction to the Great Lakes and Their Mysteries
Kayla sets the stage by highlighting the grandeur of the Great Lakes, emphasizing their status as the largest freshwater system on Earth. She shares intriguing statistics:
- Lake Superior: Largest and deepest, with a maximum depth of ~1,300 feet.
- Lake Michigan: Entirely within the United States.
- Lake Huron: Maximum depth of ~750 feet, dotted with numerous islands.
- Lake Erie: Shallowest, with an average depth of 62 feet.
- Lake Ontario: Smallest by surface area but deeper than Lake Erie, reaching depths of over 800 feet.
Notable Quote:
“But what you may not know, and what I'm about to freak you all out about today, is that as you float slowly across the lakes on a beautiful summer's day, there is mystery and horror that is settled at the lake's bottom just hundreds of feet below you.”
— Kayla Moore [03:25]
2. Shipwreck Alley and the Legend of Le Griffon
Kayla introduces Shipwreck Alley in Lake Huron, a notorious graveyard for vessels with nearly 100 shipwrecks preserved beneath icy waters. Among these is the legendary Le Griffon, a ship shrouded in mystery.
Construction and Vanishing of Le Griffon:
- Built by René Robert Cavallet (La Salle) in 1679 using local resources, much to the dismay of the Iroquois tribe.
- Despite harsh winters and perceived curses (as believed by some crew members), the ship was completed and launched on August 7, 1679.
- Disappearance: After reaching Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Le Griffon set sail back but vanished without a trace on September 18, 1679.
Notable Quotes:
“La Salle would walk back to the ship after just a short break, only to find entire sections had been destroyed by the cold. It was like there was a force out of their control that wanted construction to cease.”
— Kayla Moore [08:15]
“And it's said that over 275 shipwrecks have been found in this area alone, and sailors had tried everything over the years to mitigate the risks in the area.”
— Matt Brown [14:43]
3. Death's Door: A Treacherous Passageway
Transitioning to Death's Door, the perilous passage between the Bay of Green Bay and the rest of Lake Michigan, Kayla describes an area notorious for its converging tides, hidden shoals, and unpredictable winds. Over 275 shipwrecks have been recorded here despite the construction of massive lighthouses in the mid-19th century.
Notable Quote:
“Death's Door is a treacherous passageway between the Bay of Green Bay and the rest of Lake Michigan. It's what Le Griffon would have passed through as it started its journey back to its home base.”
— Matt Brown [14:24]
4. Sunken Indigenous Villages and Ancient Rock Formations
While exploring Death's Door, Steve Liebert’s search for Le Griffon uncovered remnants of sunken Indigenous villages and bizarre rock formations resembling Stonehenge. These discoveries suggest the presence of ancient civilizations much older than previously known.
- Lake Michigan Stonehenge: Discovered by archaeologist Mark Holly in 2007, featuring large stones with carvings, including a mastodon.
- Ancient Villages: Sunken communities possibly swallowed by rising sea levels or devastating storms.
Notable Quote:
“Maybe these stones weren't actually a weird phenomena after all. Maybe they were part of one of these ancient civilizations that once lived in the area.”
— Kayla Moore [22:45]
5. Mysteries of Lake Erie: The Windsor Hum and UFO Sightings
Lake Erie introduces its own set of enigmatic occurrences, notably the Windsor Hum and numerous UFO sightings.
Windsor Hum:
- Origin: Began in 2011 with a mysterious low-level hum affecting residents, causing headaches and discomfort.
- Investigations: Professor Colin Novak linked the hum to the steel factory on Zug Island, which ceased operations in 2020, coinciding with the disappearance of the hum.
- Unresolved Theories: Although some suggest machinery was the source, others speculate alien activities.
Notable Quote:
“One group of people have been in the Great Lakes region for about 1500 years, and they have tried to offer what information they have that could help solve this mystery. It's the Anishinaabe people...”
— Kayla Moore [25:50]
UFO Sightings:
- Historic and Recent Sightings: From the 1988 sighting of a gray, football-shaped object to multiple orb sightings in the early 21st century.
- Theories: Some believe these could be USOs (Unidentified Submerged Objects) linked to alien bases beneath the lake.
Notable Quote:
“These craft could explain the lake's recurring activity. And that suggests a long-term, possibly non-human presence operating covertly in the region.”
— Matt Brown [28:10]
6. The Disappearance of the Rosabelle and House of David Commune
One of the most haunting tales is the disappearance of the schooner Rosabelle in October 1921. The vessel, connected to the House of David, a mysterious religious commune, vanished without a trace, leaving no survivors or wreckage behind.
House of David Background:
- Founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell, claiming divine revelations and strict communal rules.
- Dark Secrets: Accusations against Benjamin for abusing young female members, leading to internal strife.
Disappearance of the Rosabelle:
- Incident: On October 30, 1921, nine men boarded the Roosevelt (linked to the Rosabelle) and were never seen again.
- Investigation Findings: Wreckage showed severe damage, but no bodies were found, fueling theories of sabotage or mysterious forces at play.
Notable Quote:
“Some people truly believe, and I tend to agree with them, that the mystery of the Rosabell, one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the Great Lakes, died with him.”
— Matt Brown [31:36]
7. Conclusion: The Secrets Beneath the Surface
Kayla wraps up the episode by reflecting on the Great Lakes as time capsules harboring countless secrets. She invites listeners to ponder the unresolved mysteries and share their thoughts.
Final Thoughts:
“The Great Lakes are more than just a massive body of freshwater. They're a time capsule. They're a guardian of many, many secrets, and they also are a giant graveyard of ships and civilization and bodies.”
— Matt Brown [31:36]
She encourages audience engagement, teasing upcoming episodes featuring real-life creepy tales and close encounters, and reinforces the enduring allure of Great Lakes mysteries.
Stay Curious
Heart Starts Pounding continues to captivate listeners with its deep dives into the unexplained and the paranormal. Episode 129 serves as a testament to the enduring mysteries that the Great Lakes hold, blending historical accounts with contemporary theories to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Join the Rogue Detecting Society:
For more darkly curious content, exclusive bonus material, and ad-free listening, subscribe on Patreon.
Follow Heart Starts Pounding:
Submit Your Stories:
Have a horrifying tale, paranormal encounter, or unsolved mystery? Share it here to be featured on the podcast.
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 129, capturing the essence of the discussions and the spine-chilling mysteries explored by Heart Starts Pounding.