The Margaret A. Muir’s Remarkable Preservation and Its Secrets from the Depths
Image Credit: CNN
Researchers have made a significant maritime discovery with the unearthing of the Margaret A. Muir schooner, lost to a gale in Lake Michigan in 1893. The shipwreck, located in just 50 feet (15 meters) of water off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin, has captivated the maritime archaeology community and rekindled interest in Great Lakes shipwreck history.
Discovery and Significance
The Margaret A. Muir, a 130-foot, three-masted schooner built in 1872, was identified by a dedicated team from the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association (WUAA) on May 12, 2024. Maritime historian Brendon Baillod, alongside Robert Jaeck and Kevin Cullen, discovered after extensive research and exploration. The wreck had eluded detection for over a century, despite numerous vessels passing over its resting place each fishing season.
Baillod highlighted the historical and architectural significance of the find. “This wreck is remarkable because it has essentially ‘opened up’—the deck has come off, and the sides are exposed, revealing the intricate construction details of a 19th-century wooden schooner,” he explained. The wreck’s preservation allows researchers to examine the vessel’s original construction methods and deck equipment, including two large anchors and hand pumps.
The preservation of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes is relatively common due to the region’s cold, fresh waters, which help maintain the condition of submerged artifacts. According to the University of Buffalo, these waters are believed to contain the remains of over 6,000 ships dating back to the 17th century, making the Great Lakes a rich site for maritime archaeology.
Historical Context of the Muir
Margaret A. Muir was an active participant in the bustling maritime trade economy of the late 19th-century Great Lakes. During this era, the Great Lakes served as a crucial transportation route, moving raw materials like copper, iron ore, and lumber that were vital to America’s Industrial Revolution. The Muir primarily engaged in the Great Lakes grain trade but also carried various cargoes across all five Great Lakes during its 21-year career.
On September 30, 1893, the Muir met its tragic end during a powerful gale. The vessel was en route to the Wisconsin coast from the Straits of Mackinac when it encountered the storm. The gale, with winds reaching 50 miles per hour, overwhelmed the ship. By 7:30 a.m., as waves surged over the deck, Captain David Clow reported significant water accumulation in the hold. Despite efforts to save the ship, Clow ordered the crew to abandon the ship. The vessel sank rapidly, taking Clow’s loyal dog with it, while the crew managed to reach shore and find refuge with local townspeople.
Media Coverage and Historical Impact
The sinking of the Margaret A. Muir was widely reported in the major Great Lakes newspapers of the time. Outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, and Plain Dealer of Cleveland covered the event extensively. The Tribune noted the survivors’ arrival in Chicago, emphasizing their loss of personal belongings. Captain Clow’s statement, expressing his disappointment over the loss of his dog, further highlighted the personal toll of the disaster. The Free Press also reported on the gale’s widespread impact, noting that the storm contributed to a high number of shipwrecks during the season.
The Muir’s story faded into obscurity over the years, overshadowed by more prominent shipwrecks like the Edmund Fitzgerald. However, the recent discovery has renewed interest in this historical maritime tragedy and its broader implications for Great Lakes’ shipping history.
Modern Discoveries and Preservation Efforts
Baillod, who has a long-standing interest in Great Lakes maritime history, began his research into the Muir’s whereabouts decades ago. His passion for the subject stemmed from childhood experiences with shipwrecks near his home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After years of compiling data and researching historical accounts, Baillod identified the Muir as a likely candidate for discovery based on detailed reports and survivor testimonies.
The search for the Muir was initiated in collaboration with the WUAA in 2023. Remarkably, the team located the wreck on the very first day of their search. Baillod described the excitement of seeing the wreck on the sonar screen just before the end of their first day of exploration.
High-resolution images of the site have since been captured, and the WUAA is working to nominate the Muir for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. If accepted, the Muir would join the schooner Trinidad, another vessel located by the WUAA in June 2023.
Baillod and his team emphasize the importance of preserving and sharing these maritime artifacts with local communities. “We seek to bring these historical treasures to the people of Wisconsin because they are tangible links to their maritime past,” Baillod said.
The rediscovery of the Margaret A. Muir represents a significant milestone in Great Lakes maritime archaeology. It offers a unique glimpse into the construction and operational aspects of 19th-century wooden schooners and underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. As researchers continue to explore and document these historical sites, the stories of lost vessels like the Muir remind us of the enduring legacy of maritime exploration and trade.
For more information, visit CNN’s comprehensive article
