Shipwreck Hunters Unearth Vessel 131 Years After It Sank in Lake Michigan with Captain’s “Faithful Dog”

Discovery in the Depths of Lake Michigan

Over 130 years have passed since the historic schooner Margaret A. Muir sank into the chilly waters of Lake Michigan. The wreckage has been long-sought, cloaked under the lake’s waves, not far off the coast of Wisconsin, with the ghostly presence of its captain’s beloved pet: a faithful dog. However, thanks to the dedication and skill of a team of shipwreck hunters, this lost slice of history has finally been brought back to daylight on May 12.

A Stormy End

On the fateful morning of Sept. 30, 1893, the Muir, commanded by Captain David Clow, set sail from Bay City, Michigan towards Chicago. The schooner carried six crew members and a cargo of salt. As the seas roared and storm raged that day, the ship’s hold flooded, and Clow gave the tragic order for the crew to abandon ship. In an unfortunate turn of events, the ship capsized, plunging the captain’s dog—who had become a favored ship’s mascot—into the inhospitable marine abyss.

The heartbroken Captain Clow later said: “I would rather lose any sum of money than to have the brute perish as he did.” The loss of the intelligent and loyal animal was deeply mourned by the captain and the crew. The crew managed to reach the shore, led by their experienced 71-year-old captain after a struggle with 15-foot seas, albeit freezing, drenched, and devoid of their possessions.

Finding the Lost Ship

Using high-resolution sonar equipment and historical records, the team noticed an irregularity on the lake bed. Excitedly, Kevin Cullen, the executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum commented, “This is it! This is really it!” as the vessel’s remains finally surfaced on their readings. The wreckage of the three-masted ship now lay about 50 feet underwater, just a few miles off the shore of Algoma, Wisconsin.

A significant portion of the ship’s deck gear has survived, despite the deck having collapsed. Relics such as two enormous anchors, hand pumps, and its bow windlass rivet the historic significance of this site.

Documentation and recognition

Thousands of high-resolution images were captured by the team, which were later utilized to generate a comprehensive 3D photogrammetry model of the site. The Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association intends to collaborate with state officials to nominate the site to the National Register of Historic Places. This move mirrors the successful registration of the historically significant Trinidad schooner, which also sank in Lake Michigan over a decade before the Muir, and was unveiled intact during the previous year.

Treasure Trove of Shipwrecks

The recent discovery of shipwrecks in Lake Michigan, including the steamship Milwaukee and a ship that plunged into the lake’s depths in 1871, highlights the rich marine heritage of the area. Experts believe that more than 6,000 vessels have succumbed to the treacherous waters of the Great Lakes since the late 1600s, waiting to tell their tales from beneath the waves.