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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) is thrilled to announce the discovery of the 144foot Barquentine Nucleus. The Nucleus was found under 600 feet of water around 40 miles northwest of Vermilion point on Lake Superior this February. The Nucleus sank on September 14th, 1869, when it was downbound from Marquette carrying a load of iron ore. The Nucleus was no stranger to accidents though. It had already sunk twice, and in 1854, rammed and sank the side-wheeler S.S. Detroit in Lake Huron. On that September day in 1869, the Nucleus was caught in a bad storm on Lake Superior and started to take on water. The leak became so bad the crew had to abandoned ship and took to their lifeboat. The Nucleus sank shortly afterwards. If Nucleus had its share of bad luck, so too did its crew once they cast off from the sinking ship . After a few hours in their yawl, the Nucleus crew spotted, and hailed the S.S. Union. The officers reportedly spotted the Nucleus crew struggling in the storm… but chose to keep on steaming, leaving them behind. Fortunately, they were soon picked up by the schooner Worthington, with no loss of life. The Nucleus sank in 1869, making it one of the oldest ships to go down along Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast. Shipwreck Society Executive Director, Bruce Lynn reflected on the discovery, “this is a pretty significant shipwreck… considering its age, the fact that it is a barquentine and we can’t overlook the vessel’s checkered past. The wreck site is littered with shovels too…and a few dinner plates, which speaks to their work and shipboard life.”

It’s been said, “when life closes a door, just open it. It’s a door, that’s how they work.” Sue Bott at Re/Max Prodigy has been doing just that, not only for countless homeowners but for herself and the community as well. A Two Harbors grad, Bott wanted to be a teacher, but the door that opened for her was to an entirely different field. She attended an informational meeting about real estate sales and had her “a-ha!” moment. “I’ve never looked back,” Bott says. “I have been doing Real Estate for twenty-five years and I LOVE it.” Her motivation is in helping people make life-changing decisions. “People come to me during those life-changing moments. It may be the death of a loved one, marriage, divorce, a growing family… each is a life-changing event, and I love being a part of that and helping them.” She also helps out more than just through Real Estate. Bott is very active in the local Moose Lodge as the Vice President, and as Senior Regent for the women’s chapter. There she helps give back through hosting community events, donating to local charities, and helping others host events locally. Bott also is very active on the Winter Frolic Committee and donates to THHS Agate Pride, Lakeview National Golf Course, Two Harbors Area Food Shelf, the Lake County DAC, and is active in other events in Lake County. When asked why community involvement is so important, she responds, “The only way to get things done is if you get involved and get them done.”

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