By Tanda Gmiter of mlive.com - September 16, 2019

Recent big waves in Lake Superior carried a piece of century-old shipwreck and left it on a stretch of beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

National Park staff believe they’ve narrowed down the possible wrecks this 10-foot wooden artifact came from to just two from the nearby section of maritime graveyard that is Superior’s bottom.

“In recent days, a new piece of shipwreck has washed ashore,” park staff posted on Facebook on Sunday. “This 10-foot by 2-foot artifact is probably from either the Sitka or Gale Staples, ships that wrecked on the Au Sable Pointe reef over 100 years ago.”

Gale watches and warnings have overspread parts of Superior in recent days, so the big piece of wood being beached is not surprising. The age of the suspected wrecks make it interesting. So does the fact that park staff say the wooden skeletons of both of these double-decked bulk freighters lie mingled at the bottom of Au Sable Point.

Here is some background on each of the shipwrecks:

Sitka: 

There were high winds and heavy fog on Oct. 4, 1904 when the 272-foot-long Sitka met its demise. She was downbound with a load of iron ore when she ran up on the reef’s rocks and began filling with water. Surfmen from the Life Saving Station at Grand Marais oversaw the rescue of all 17 men aboard the Sitka, which was then abandoned to the churning waves.

Gale Staples: 

The 277-foot freighter was taking a load of coal to Port Arthur near Canada’s Thunder Bay when high winds blew her onto the reef, where she grounded on Oct. 1, 1918. Her crew was rescued.

“Pieces of these two ships can be seen on the beach just west of the Au Sable Light Station. Numerous other pieces of these wrecks are lying on the reef in shallow water,” the NPS said on its website where it gives a rundown of the most well-known shipwrecks near the park.

Shipwreck pieces have washed up on the park’s beaches in the past, and stirs excitement among the wreck enthusiasts and beach walkers, who try to figure out which part of history it belongs to.

For those who get to see these pieces up close, remember it’s a “look, don’t take” opportunity.

“Shipwrecks lying on the surface are protected by federal law. Please leave these remnants of the past for others to enjoy," park staff have cautioned visitors.

Pictured Rocks is a four-season destination near Munising, along the shore of Lake Superior. Named after its steep, multi-colored cliffs, the park is a draw for hikers, paddlers and, in the winter, ice climbers.

It’s known for its distinct sandstone formations like Chapel Rock and Miners Castle.