Researchers Discover 1868 Shipwreck in Lake Michigan
In a remarkable discovery, a team of researchers from the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association recently announced the finding of the steamship Milwaukee, which sank in Lake Michigan in 1868. The ship was on its way to Muskegon, Mich., to pick up lumber when disaster struck.
The Milwaukee, which had been missing for over a century, was located using a combination of historical news clippings, weather data, and remote sensing equipment. The team spent the summer filming the wreckage before announcing the discovery.
Valerie van Heest, the association’s director, explained that the Milwaukee is just one of thousands of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, with only a fraction of them discovered. The team learned about the sinking of the Milwaukee by consulting a database of missing ships compiled by regional historians.
The reports from the time of the sinking provided a harrowing account of the events that led to the Milwaukee’s demise. The ship collided with another lumber ship, the C. Hickox, in thick fog, resulting in the Milwaukee sinking to the bottom of the lake. Despite the chaos that ensued, all but one crew member made it to safety aboard the Hickox.
The discovery of the Milwaukee sheds light on the history of the Great Lakes region and the importance of the lumber industry at the time. Ms. van Heest emphasized that these shipwrecks are like museum artifacts that have stories to tell, providing valuable insights into the past.
The team’s findings also revealed that the Milwaukee had undergone significant modifications over the years, reflecting the changing needs of the shipping industry. This discovery marks the 19th successful find by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association since its founding.
Overall, the discovery of the Milwaukee serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes and the ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve these important pieces of the past.
