Underwater Robot Reveals 'Shipwreck City' in Seattle's Lake Union

A team led by robotics researcher Phil Parisi is using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) nicknamed Finn to explore roughly 100 shipwreck targets in Seattle's Lake Union, an area they call 'Shipwreck City.' The lakebed contains barges, sailboats, and a World War II-era minesweeper. Parisi collaborates with Libbie Barnes, associate curator at Seattle's Museum of History & Industry, and George Spano, a boat captain and ocean conservationist. The ROV uses GPS and side-scan sonar to locate targets, then cameras and lights to capture photos and videos. Challenges include biofouling, rust, and poor visibility. So far, the team has spent 21 underwater hours exploring 34 targets, identifying two previously unknown wrecks and confirming at least 20 others. Notable finds include a 91-foot barge called Foss 54 near Gas Works Park, a 40-foot wooden vessel, a converted landing craft, and a 45-foot wooden vessel named Irene. The lake formed 12,000 years ago and was originally called XáXu7cHoo by the Duwamish people. Parisi has also found trash like tires and plastic waste. The team aims to create a comprehensive underwater archive of Lake Union.