Unveiling of 1893 Shipwreck Site in Lake Michigan: The Margaret A. Muir
In an exciting discovery for maritime history, a team of historians has located the wreck site of the schooner Margaret A. Muir, which sank in 1893 off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan.
Historic Find in Lake Michigan
Maritime historians working with the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association unearthed the 130-foot, three-masted ship, lost to a severe gale over a century ago on September 30, 1893. Despite its sinking only a few miles from Algoma Harbor’s entrance, the ship went unnoticed for over 130 years with countless boats traversing over it each fishing season.
The discovery is a highly significant archaeological find, revealing intimate details about 19th-century Great Lakes wooden vessel architecture. The ship’s deck had come off, and the sides had opened up, rendering the construction details visible. All of the schooner’s deck gear, including two giant anchors and hand pumps, remain intact.
The Margaret A. Muir: A Reflection of Lake’s Maritime History
The Margaret A. Muir schooner played a significant role in the bustling maritime trade economy of the Great Lakes during the late 1800s. The lakes, associated with the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway, were instrumental in fueling America’s industrial revolution by transporting raw goods such as copper, iron ore, and lumber.
The eventful day when the schooner met its end started with a 50-mile-per-hour gale at around 5 a.m. The ship was en route to the Wisconsin coast when the waves increased dramatically at about 7:30 a.m., some breaking over its decks. Just as the ship neared Algoma, the captain discovered several feet of water in the hold. Fearing the worst, he ordered the crew of six to abandon the ship. The crew managed to reach the shore safely despite the 15-foot high seas.
Rediscovery of the Muir
The recovery of the Margaret A. Muir from oblivion owes much to the determination of maritime historians and the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association. After meticulously creating a database of Wisconsin’s missing vessels over 30 years, a historian marked the Muir as one of the top ships that could be found due to accurate survivor accounts and newspaper references.
The shipwreck’s elusive status ended when the team of researchers discovered the wreck site on the very first day of their exploration. Over the next few weeks, thousands of high-resolution images were taken of the site, providing an unprecedented view of the historic ship. The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association is now working towards nominating the site for the National Register of Historic Places.
This stirring discovery and subsequent exploration have rekindled interest in Great Lakes maritime history, providing fodder for academics and history enthusiasts alike. While more exploration and study lie ahead, the unearthing of the Margaret A. Muir stands as a testament to the unravelling mysteries of Lake Michigan’s depths.
