A schooner that drowned in Lake Michigan in 1881 has been found intact miles from Wisconsin's coast. Its last resting place is so well-preserved that it still retains the crew's belongings.
The 140-foot-long (43-meter-long) schooner was built at Grand Island, New York, in 1867, and was used primarily in the grain trade between Milwaukee, Chicago and Oswego, New York.
The 156-year-old Trinidad was discovered in July off the coast of Algoma by Wisconsin maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Robert Jaeck at a depth of roughly 270 feet (82 meters). Based on testimonies from survivors found in historical documents, they focused on its position using side-scan sonar.
According to a news statement on Thursday 31st of August revealing the Trinidad's discovery, "the wreck is among the best-preserved shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters with her deck-house still intact, containing the crew’s possessions and her anchors and deck gear still present."
156-year-old Trinidad's ship wheel.
Shipbuilder William Keefe constructed the 140-foot (43-meter) schooner on Grand Island, New York, in 1867. It was largely utilized in the grain trade between Milwaukee, Chicago, and Oswego, New York.
But early on May 13, 1881, after passing through the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, it developed a catastrophic leak while transporting a shipment of coal destined for Milwaukee. According to a news release, it sank around 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) off the coast of Algoma, "taking all the crew’s possessions and the captain’s pet Newfoundland dog with her."
After eight hours of rowing in the ship's yawl boat, Captain John Higgins and his crew of eight made it to Algoma, which is located about 120 miles (193 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. A few days prior to sinking, Higgins thought the Trinidad's hull had been harmed while it was traveling through ice fields in the Straits of Mackinac.
156-year-old Trinidad.
According to a news release, after finding the Trinidad in July, Baillod and Jaeck informed an underwater archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society of their discovery. The underwater archaeologist then arranged for the site to be surveyed with an underwater vehicle that verified the Trinidad's identity and recorded historical artifacts.
To enable virtual site exploration, a three-dimensional ship model has been made. In order to add the location to the National Register of Historic Places, Baillod and Jaeck intend to collaborate with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
