Real Cool History for Kids

Episode 170: Sunken Ships of Lake Superior (Special Episode for Warren Shea)
Host: Angela O’Dell
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

Angela O’Dell takes young listeners on a fascinating journey beneath the icy waters of Lake Superior to uncover the stories of two legendary sunken ships: the Henry B. Smith and the Edmund Fitzgerald. Weaving together adventure, history, and spiritual insight, Angela explores why so many shipwrecks have occurred in this vast, mysterious lake, what makes these shipwreck stories special, and what they teach us about the power of nature and the limits of human knowledge—reminding listeners throughout of God’s limitless understanding and care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mysterious Depths of Lake Superior

• Lake Superior’s Unique Features

  • Largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
  • Some parts are up to 1,300ft deep, with temperatures just above freezing—even in summer.
  • Its cold, oxygen-poor waters act as a natural preservative, slowing decay and keeping shipwrecks almost untouched for decades or centuries.
  • Lacks wood-eating organisms found in the ocean, making it an “underwater time capsule.”
  • "When a ship sinks in Lake Superior, it can remain preserved for decades, even centuries. Well, kind of like an underwater time capsule." (01:56)

• Dangers of the Lake

  • Calm and beautiful some days, but can become extremely dangerous, especially during sudden storms.
  • “The lake is the boss”—a popular saying among Great Lakes sailors highlighting the unpredictability and power of Lake Superior.
  • "When storms rise up, Lake Superior can become really scary and dangerous very, very quickly… The lake is the boss." (00:46)

Shipwreck Story #1: The Henry B. Smith (1913)

[Segment Start: 04:20]

• Background

  • Steel freighter, crucial for transporting iron ore.
  • November—known for the worst storms on Lake Superior and the end of shipping season.

• The Fateful Voyage

  • November 1913: The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (“White Hurricane”) formed unexpectedly.
  • Ferocious winds, whiteout snow, enormous waves.
  • The Henry B. Smith last seen battling the storm around November 9-10; all 25 crew members lost.
  • No distress message; families left with unanswered questions.
  • Ship remained lost for 100 years.

• Discovery

  • In 2013, explorers finally located the wreck over 500 feet below the surface—cold waters preserving much of the ship.
  • The find answered some questions about the ship's fate but left mysteries.

• Memorable Quote:

  • "The Henry B. Smith had been missing for a century, but Lake Superior had kept it safe, waiting to be found." (07:18)

Special Shout-Outs & Community Moments

[Segment: 08:08]

• Shout out to Jake, a young fan who finds courage in learning history.
• Appreciation to Patreon supporters and announcement of special events coming in 2026 for the 250th anniversary of liberty.

Shipwreck Story #2: The Edmund Fitzgerald (1975)

[Segment Start: 09:40]

• Background

  • One of the most famous and largest Great Lakes freighters (700+ feet), known throughout the region.

• The Tragedy

  • November 1975: The Fitzgerald sailed into a notorious Lake Superior November storm carrying iron ore pellets.
  • As conditions worsened, radio transmissions showed the crew’s determination and relative calm.
  • Suddenly, the ship went silent and was lost with all 29 crew members.
  • Wreck discovered days later, split into two sections over 500 feet deep, near Whitefish Point, Michigan.
  • Exact cause remains a mystery—possible factors include wave damage, flooding, and overwhelming force of the storm.

• Legacy

  • Led to changes in Great Lakes shipping safety and procedures.
  • Even with technology, not all answers about shipwrecks can be found.

• Memorable Quote:

  • "What is known is that Lake Superior, especially in November, can be extremely dangerous and that even the strongest ships can be overwhelmed by nature's power." (12:18)

Reflections on History & Human Understanding

[Segment Start: 14:10]

• Analogy:

  • Studying history is “like looking into a room through a keyhole… no matter how much we learn, we can never know the whole story.”

• Biblical Perspective:

  • While human knowledge is limited, God understands everything—past, present, and future.
  • Cites Psalm 147:5, Hebrews 4:13, Isaiah 46:10 to illustrate God’s limitless vision and care, even when we can’t see the full story ourselves.
  • “God sees every moment of history, past, present and future, all at once. Isn't that incredible?” (16:10)

• Encouragement to Listeners:

  • God knows and loves every listener—just as He knew every detail about those lost at sea.
  • "I want you guys to remember this as you go into the new year. That God sees you. He sees you. He knows you… And he loves you." (17:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Lake Superior is cold… In the summer, the deepest parts of that lake stay just above freezing. So if you fall into that lake, that is not a good thing to do because you could very easily die of hypothermia." (01:06)
• "Even with modern technology, sonar, underwater cameras, and careful research, there are still things we cannot know." (13:54)
• "While we may only see through a keyhole, that's our human understanding. God sees the whole room. Isn't that just amazing? I love it." (16:58)
• Warm, heartfelt birthday wishes to listeners, emphasizing the closeness of the Real Cool History for Kids community. (19:00 onward)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction, Lake Superior facts, dangers, and preservation
• 04:20 – Story of the Henry B. Smith
• 07:18 – Discovery of the Smith’s wreck
• 08:08 – Listener shout-outs and podcast community appreciation
• 09:40 – Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald
• 12:18 – Investigation and legacy of Fitzgerald
• 14:10 – Reflections on the nature of history and knowledge
• 16:10 – Biblical reassurance of God’s omniscience
• 19:00 onward – End-of-year reflections, birthday shout-outs, encouragement

Tone & Style

Angela’s storytelling is warm, inviting, and full of wonder, balancing factual details with a Biblical worldview. She encourages curiosity, humility before history’s mysteries, and assurance of God’s ever-present love.

Summary Takeaways

• Lake Superior’s cold, deep waters preserve shipwrecks, making them time capsules from the past.
• The Henry B. Smith and Edmund Fitzgerald are powerful reminders of nature’s force and the limits of what we can know about history.
• Even the greatest technology leaves gaps, but faith reminds us that God sees and understands everything—even what we cannot.
• The episode closes with encouragement for listeners to approach history and life with both curiosity and faith, celebrating the end of the year and the bonds within the podcast community.

Next Episode: Stay tuned in 2026 for more amazing, faith-filled adventures in history with Angela O’Dell and Real Cool History for Kids!