In a remarkable journey of rediscovery, marine archaeologists have located the shipwreck of the Margaret A. Muir, a three-masted schooner that sank in Lake Michigan more than 130 years ago. This significant discovery underscores the enduring mystery hidden beneath the great freshwater lake, which is home to thousands of undiscovered shipwrecks that hold the stories of maritime history.
The search for the Muir culminated on May 12, 2024, when a dedicated team from the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association (WUAA) discovered the vessel resting approximately 50 feet beneath the surface, just off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. The ship had perished during a violent storm on September 30, 1893, while navigating toward South Chicago from Bay City, Michigan, loaded with a cargo of bulk salt.
Brendon Baillod, a prominent maritime historian and president of the WUAA, led the expedition and expressed the exhilarating moment when they confirmed the wreck's identity. "Around 4 o'clock, as we’re pulling up the sonar, the darn wreck crawls across the screen. We caught her in the last 30 seconds that we could have," Baillod recounted with evident excitement.
The schooner has a storied past, built in 1872 by Scandinavian shipbuilders in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It stands 130 feet long and played a crucial role in the booming maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. The Muir was designed primarily to transport grain but was versatile enough to carry various cargoes across all five Great Lakes throughout its operational life.
On the fateful day it sank, Captain David Clow reported encountering increasingly treacherous conditions. Initially holding strong against the storm, the Muir faced a swift turn of fortune when powerful winds reached up to 50 miles per hour. Just before dawn, the captain realized the dire situation as water began to fill the ship's hold. Clow's command for the crew to abandon ship was timely; before they could escape, the Muir lurched violently, plunging beneath the waves, accompanied by Clow's faithful dog, who perished with the ship.
Fortunately, all six crew members managed to reach the shore in a lifeboat, where local townspeople provided them with warmth and shelter. Clow, devastated by the loss of his dog, lamented, "I would rather lose any sum of money than to have the brute perish as he did." This emotional reflection captured not only his bond with his pet but also the perilous life of sailors navigating the unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes.
The Margaret A. Muir had been virtually forgotten over the decades, despite the numerous vessels passing over it during fishing seasons. Luckily, the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan are notorious for preserving shipwrecks, contributing to an underwater graveyard that is estimated to hold the remains of over 6,000 vessels. Official reports compiled by marine scholars estimate that around 780 shipwrecks reside in Wisconsin's waters, although only about 250 have been identified.
The recent discovery adds a fresh chapter to maritime history and stands out among the record-shattering number of shipwrecks located in Wisconsin. In 2023 alone, a staggering 13 previously unidentified wrecks were found, a substantial increase over the usual annual average of three to four. The re-emergence of the Muir also highlights the importance of continued exploration and research within the Great Lakes, a region whose depths remain enigmatic to this day.
Cullen, another key member of the team and executive director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, described their methodology as a process that required meticulous searching and a degree of luck. During their search, they used sonar equipment—a homemade device dubbed the "wreck sniffer"—to scan the lakebed. Their initial day included a few challenges, including the motorboat taking on water mid-venture. Still, the effort and determination paid off richly.
After confirming the ship's identity through sonar readings, the team collected thousands of high-resolution images and began creating a 3D model of the wreck site using photogrammetry. These digital explorations aim to broaden public access to the wreckage while fostering awareness about the history entwined with the Muir.
Efforts are currently underway to nominate the site for the National Register of Historic Places, which would recognize its significant historical value. If successful, it would join the ranks of the Trinidad, another schooner identified off Algoma's shores.
“Our mission is to share these wrecks with the communities of Wisconsin,” Baillod reaffirmed. “These are some of the last tangible links to our maritime past.” Shipwrecks like the Muir serve as extraordinary portals to history, offering invaluable insights into 19th-century shipbuilding techniques, navigation challenges, and the everyday lives of sailors.
The dramatic tale of the Margaret A. Muir is one of resilience, loss, and adventure, echoing across lakes and time. As archaeologists and historians continue to explore the depths of Lake Michigan, each new discovery becomes a testament to the rich tapestry of maritime heritage that continues to captivate our collective imagination.
