One hundred and twelve years ago this past Sunday, the Titanic took its last voyage to the bottom of the ocean. Few people have not heard of that tragedy that ended with the deaths of nearly 1500 people, many of whom could have been saved.
But the Titanic is not the only ship to ever have sunk. Ever since man jumped into the first canoe, thousands have perished and have done so in virtually every body of water in the world. The floors of all the earth’s oceans, lakes, and rivers are littered with wreckages of failed voyages.
One shipwreck that has never garnered the Titanic’s popularity but also didn’t have as many casualties is the Ironton. In September of 1894, the Ironton barge was heading from Cleveland to Marquette on Lake Huron. It, along with a similar such barge, the Moonlight, was being towed by the steamer Kershaw. As they headed north on September 16, they met another ship, the freighter Ohio, which was carrying grain east from Minnesota to New York.
As the four vessels were in close proximity in rough waters, the Ironton’s towline suddenly snapped and as she drifted off, she crashed into the Ohio. Both ships were badly damaged and both sank within 30 short minutes. All of the Ohio crewmen survived as they were rescued from their lifeboats by the Moonlight while another steamer picked up two from the Ironton.
The Ironton wreckage had long been lost and was only discovered in 2019 in an area of the great lake known as Shipwreck Alley. In this zone, over 200 ships have succumbed to the winds and waves of Lake Huron known today as Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Sadly, five men of the Ironton perished that night when their ship went down even though they had climbed into the lifeboat. While details of the sinking were shrouded in history, the recent discovery found that those in the lifeboat had been unable to untether it from the main vessel and they were dragged down with it. Since its discovery, photos have come up of the lifeboat still tightly fastened to the Ironton as both vessels rest silently on the lake bottom. Imagine the horror of those crewmen who thought they were saved but went down and drowned anyway.
This tragic event from the nineteenth century reminds us to be sure we’re in the right boat. Sadly, many people depend on beliefs and ideas to save them that will ultimately take them down. Many believe that their good deeds or their church membership are lifeboats that will ensure their escape from everlasting punishment. Imagine their horror when they realize those methods are both tethered to sinful humanity that is doomed to perish.
There’s only one lifeboat that provides rescue and spiritual salvation and it is piloted by Jesus! Admittance to His ship is free and open to all and there’s enough room for everyone. But we must cut our ties to all other earthly schemes. We must come to Him in faith and believe that He and He alone has the power to extricate and save us from the consequences of our own sin.
Many times, people try to hold onto sinful habits, greedy possessions, or other doomed methods. This current world system and all it represents is dead in the waves and is quickly taking on water. Its doomed plight is certain and horrible, though many fail to perceive it. Every wise person should utilize Jesus’ blood to cut him or herself free from any sins or human schemes that will take us down.
As we remember some of the worst shipwrecks in history, may they remind us to put our faith and trust in Jesus who alone can save. In order to follow Him, however, we must forsake all other strategies and rely fully on Him. If you never have, sever all other ties and cling tightly to Jesus! Blessings, George