Lost for 150 Years: Maritime Historians Shocked by Shipwreck Found Off Wisconsin Coast!
Dive into the tale of the Margaret A. Muir, lost in a deadly 1893 storm and recently discovered off the coast of Wisconsin. 🌊 #News #Wisconsin #Shipwreck
Historic Shipwreck Found After 150 Years!
GREEN BAY, WI – In a discovery straight out of a maritime legend, the remains of the 150-year-old schooner Margaret A. Muir have been found off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. This incredible find by maritime historians unveils a dramatic tale of survival and tragedy on the Great Lakes.
The once-mighty ship, lost in a fierce storm in 1893, now offers a glimpse into a bygone era, as modern technology brings its story back to life. The team, led by Brendon Baillod, Robert Jaeck, and Kevin Cullen, used historical records and high-resolution sonar to locate the ship on May 12th, 2024.
The Mysterious Margaret A. Muir
Built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1872, the Margaret A. Muir was a 130-foot, three-masted schooner.
t was constructed for Captain David Muir and intended primarily for the Great Lakes grain trade. Over its 21-year career, the vessel transported a variety of cargoes across all five Great Lakes.
The Fateful Day
Tragedy struck on the morning of September 30, 1893. While traveling from Bay City, Michigan, to South Chicago, Illinois, with a cargo of bulk salt, the ship encountered a devastating 50 mph gale. Despite the crew’s efforts, the ship was overwhelmed by the storm.
Nearing the Wisconsin coast, the vessel took on water rapidly. Captain Clow ordered an immediate abandonment, but the ship sank swiftly, taking the captain’s loyal dog with it. The crew managed to reach shore, thanks to Captain Clow’s expert seamanship.
Rediscovering the Lost Schooner
The Margaret A. Muir had been lost to history until Brendon Baillod started compiling a database of Wisconsin’s missing ships around two decades ago.
Intrigued by the schooner’s story, he initiated a focused search. In 2023, he enlisted the help of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, narrowing down the search area to about five square miles.
The breakthrough came during their final sonar pass of the day. The wreck was found in approximately fifty feet of water, just a few miles from Algoma Harbor, having eluded detection for over a century.
Bringing the Past to Life
Following the discovery, Wisconsin State Maritime Archeologist Tamara Thomsen was notified.
A team soon gathered thousands of high-resolution images, which Zach Whitrock used to create a 3D photogrammetry model of the site. Although the vessel’s structure has collapsed, significant features like the anchors, hand pumps, bow windlass, and capstan remain intact.
Preserving Maritime History
The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association plans to collaborate with the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Archeology Program to nominate the site to the National Register of Historic Places. If accepted, it will join the schooner Trinidad, another significant find by the team in June 2023.
The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association is a 501(c)(3) educational group offering public participation in underwater archeology and maritime history projects. Check them out for more exciting discoveries and opportunities!
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