Shipwreck hunters discover intact remains of 1881 schooner in Lake Michigan
Shipwreck hunters have made an extraordinary discovery in Lake Michigan – the well-preserved remains of a schooner that sank in 1881. The ship, named Trinidad, is so intact that it still contains the crew’s possessions at its final resting spot, miles from Wisconsin’s coastline.
The discovery was made by maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck in July 2023. Using side-scan sonar, they located the 156-year-old Trinidad in about 270 feet of water off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. Survivor accounts from historical records guided them to the ship’s location.
According to a news release, the wreck is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters. The deck-house remains intact, complete with the crew’s possessions, anchors, and deck gear.
The Trinidad, a 140-foot-long schooner, was built in 1867 by shipwright William Keefe in Grand Island, New York. It was primarily used for transporting grain between Milwaukee, Chicago, and Oswego, New York. However, tragedy struck on May 13, 1881, when the ship started leaking catastrophically after passing through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal. It sank approximately 10 miles off the coast of Algoma, taking with it the crew’s possessions and even the captain’s pet Newfoundland dog.
Captain John Higgins and his crew of eight managed to row the ship’s yawl boat for eight hours before reaching safety in Algoma. Higgins believed that the Trinidad’s hull had been damaged a few days before the sinking when it passed through ice fields in the Straits of Mackinac.
After discovering the Trinidad, Baillod and Jaeck reported their findings to an underwater archaeologist from the Wisconsin Historical Society. The site was surveyed using an underwater vehicle to verify the vessel’s identity and document historic artifacts. Additionally, a three-dimensional model of the ship has been created to allow virtual exploration.
Baillod and Jaeck plan to collaborate with the Wisconsin Historical Society to nominate the site for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
This remarkable discovery provides a rare glimpse into the past and offers valuable insights into the history of maritime trade on the Great Lakes. The Trinidad serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the individuals who sailed those waters over a century ago.