Lore Lore 292: Message in a Bottle
Nov 3, 2025
Dive into the chilling mysteries of Lake Michigan, a locale known for its high disappearance rates and strange phenomena. Explore the legendary stories of lost ships like Le Griffon and the haunting return of the Rosa Belle, found intact with no crew. Uncover the enigma of the Thomas Hume, whose message in a bottle hints at its tragic fate. Meet Seaweed Charlie, a ghostly figure emerging from the depths, and discover the lake's connection to WWII training losses, including future President George H.W. Bush's naval career.
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A Monumental Artifact Vanished Forever
- The Great Bell of Damazedi, cast from nearly 600,000 pounds of metal, vanished when a Portuguese raid sank its raft and ship in 1608.
- Despite centuries of searches and modern sonar, the bell remains lost, showing huge objects can disappear in waterways.
Lake Michigan's Scale Explains Many Disappearances
- Lake Michigan is massive and historically dangerous, with a 22,404 square mile surface and deep, treacherous waters.
- The lake's size and hazards help explain why so many vessels and people have been lost there over centuries.
The Lake Michigan Triangle's Strange Pattern
- The Lake Michigan Triangle is a roughly 3,855 square mile area between Manitowoc, Ludington, and Benton Harbor noted for many unexplained losses.
- Reports include frequent drownings, vanished ships, pilot disorientation, equipment failure, and strange lights.
