130-year-old shipwreck found at the bottom of Lake Michigan.

The Great Lakes have a long and storied shipping history that spans over two centuries, with approximately 8,000 vessels lost in the region due to rough weather and busy traffic lanes. Despite the challenges, the cold freshwater of the lakes has preserved these wrecks, making the area a treasure trove for explorers. Recently, the schooner Margaret A. Muir, a three-masted cargo ship built in 1872, was discovered by a team of volunteers, shedding light on a tragic event that occurred in 1893.

On September 30, 1893, the Margaret A. Muir was caught in severe conditions in the Straits of Mackinac while en route to Chicago with a load of salt. The crew abandoned ship into a lifeboat as high waves swamped the vessel’s cargo holds, managing to reach shore in Wisconsin. The ship’s location remained a mystery for 130 years until volunteers from the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association successfully located it off the harbor at Algoma, Wisconsin.

Resting in 50 feet of water, the Muir is now accessible for conventional diving, allowing for further exploration and documentation of the wreck site. The team aims to have the vessel added to the National Register of Historic Places, following their success with last year’s discovery of the Trinidad in the same area. Through the use of 3D photogrammetry modeling, the public will soon be able to virtually “visit” the wreckage and learn more about this piece of maritime history.

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