Historic Shipwreck Margaret A. Muir Found In Lake Michigan, Wisconsin

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Maritime historians from the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association have made a significant discovery using historical records and high-resolution side-scanning sonar technology. They have successfully located the remains of the historic schooner Margaret A. Muir off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin.

Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society

The Margaret A. Muir was a 130-foot, three-masted schooner constructed in 1872 by the Hanson & Scove shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Captain David Muir commissioned the vessel primarily for the Great Lakes grain trade, though it transported various cargoes across all five Great Lakes during its 21-year operational history.

The schooner met its fate on September 30, 1893, at 8:00 AM. At the time, it was en route from Bay City, Michigan, to South Chicago, Illinois, carrying a cargo of bulk salt. Captain David Clow reported that after clearing the Straits of Mackinac and heading towards the Wisconsin coast, the ship encountered a severe gale with winds reaching 50 mph at approximately 5:00 AM while mid-lake.

Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society

Initially, the vessel weathered the storm well. However, around 7:30 AM, wave conditions worsened dramatically. Despite attempts to reach the nearest port, the ship fell into the trough of the seas, with massive waves breaking over its decks. As they neared Ahnapee (now known as Algoma, Wisconsin), Captain Clow discovered several feet of water in the hold and immediately ordered the crew to abandon ship.

Moments after the evacuation order, the ship violently lurched and sank, taking with it the captain's dog, which had served as the ship's mascot. The crew's lifeboat immediately filled with water upon launch and was kept afloat only through constant bailing as the men struggled through fifteen-foot seas towards the harbor lights.

Captain Clow, a 71 year old Lake veteran, had seen many wrecks in his day, but exclaimed “I have quit sailing, for water no longer seems to have any liking for me.” The Captain was particularly grieved at the loss of his dog, described as “an intelligent and faithful animal, and a great favorite with the captain and crew.” The Captain remarked “I would rather lose any sum of money than to have the brute perish as he did.”

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The Margaret A. Muir, lost for over a century, was discovered by Baillod and his team in 2023. Using historical sources, they narrowed the search to a five-square-mile area off Algoma Harbor. The wreck, found in 50 feet of water, had gone unnoticed despite frequent boat traffic. After notifying authorities, a team created a 3D model of the site using high-resolution images. Though no longer intact, the vessel's deck gear remains visible.

This discovery provides valuable insights into Great Lakes maritime history and the challenges faced by 19th-century sailors in the region.

The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association plans to nominate the site for the National Register of Historic Places, potentially joining the schooner Trinidad discovered earlier in 2023.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer