Historic Schooner Discovered in Lake Michigan

Marine archaeologists have located the wreckage of the schooner Margaret A Muir in Lake Michigan. The vessel, which sank in 1893 during a storm, was found off Algoma, Wisconsin. Despite the crew's survival, Captain Clow's dog perished. The discovery was driven by the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association.

Marine archaeologists have uncovered the wreckage of the schooner Margaret A Muir, which sank in Lake Michigan in the late 1800s. Found at a depth of 50 feet (15.2 meters) off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin, the vessel was discovered on May 12 by the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association.

The 130-foot, three-masted schooner, built in 1872, met its fate while transporting bulk salt from Bay City, Michigan, to South Chicago, Illinois. A storm on Sept. 30, 1893, led to the sinking just as it neared Ahnapee, now known as Algoma. The six-member crew and Captain David Clow managed to reach shore safely in a lifeboat, though Clow's dog tragically went down with the ship.

Brendon Baillod, president of the association and a Great Lakes shipwreck researcher, advocated for the search after pinpointing a 5-square mile area using historical records. The wreck was found as searchers were retrieving their sonar equipment at the end of the day.