The Discovery of the Margaret A. Muir Shipwreck in Lake Michigan
Marine archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in Lake Michigan, uncovering the remains of a sailing ship that sank in the late 1800s. The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Society recently announced that their search team found the wreckage of the Margaret A. Muir on May 12, just 50 feet below the surface near Algoma, Wisconsin.
A Glimpse into History: The Story of the Margaret A. Muir
The Margaret A. Muir was a 130-foot three-masted schooner constructed in 1872. Tragically, on the morning of September 30, 1893, as the ship was nearing Ahnapee (the former name for Algoma), it succumbed to a fierce storm and sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan.
Six crew members, along with Captain David Crowe, managed to make it to shore in a lifeboat. However, Crowe’s beloved dog perished along with the sinking vessel. According to reports from the association, Crowe expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “I would rather lose any money than have this beast die the way he did.”
The Search for the Margaret A. Muir and the Wreckage Revealed
Brendon Baillod, the president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Society and a seasoned Great Lakes shipwreck researcher, spearheaded the effort to locate the Muir. Utilizing historical records, Baillod and his team narrowed down the search area to approximately 5 square miles. On that fateful day of May 12, search crews were able to locate the wreck while wrapping up their final search for the day and retrieving sonar equipment.
Images captured of the sunken vessel portray a somber scene, showcasing the collapsed decks and outwardly tipped sides of the ship. The wreckage serves as a poignant reminder of the maritime history and the perils faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes.
