Identification & Site Information

• Name: MAJOR ANDERSON
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: None assigned
• Date Built and Launched: 1861
• Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
• Measurements:
• Length: Over 150 ft (45.72 m)
• Date Lost: October 7, 1871
• Place of Loss: Near Rawley Point, 3 miles north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden barkentine-rigged cargo vessel, specifically designed for the grain trade and other bulk cargo industries on the Great Lakes. A Barkentine is a three-masted vessel with square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the other two masts. This rigging was less common on the Great Lakes due to the complexity of handling square sails in inland waters, where variable winds and narrow passages posed significant challenges.

Description

The MAJOR ANDERSON was constructed in 1861 in Cleveland, Ohio, and stood out among Great Lakes vessels of its time for its Barkentine rigging, a design choice that contributed to its majestic appearance but also made it difficult to sail. At over 150 feet in length, the vessel was sizable for its era and primarily engaged in transporting grain between ports on Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes routes.

Named after Major Robert Anderson, the Union Army commander known for defending Fort Sumter at the start of the American Civil War, the vessel bore a detailed rendering of Fort Sumter painted on its transom, reflecting a patriotic tribute to its namesake.

Despite its striking appearance, the MAJOR ANDERSON’s unique rigging made it vulnerable to delays and navigation issues, particularly in adverse weather. Square-rigged vessels typically required larger crews and were more challenging to handle compared to Schooner-rigged ships, which were better suited for the variable conditions of the Great Lakes.

History

For most of its 10-year career, the MAJOR ANDERSON plied the Great Lakes transporting grain and other bulk cargo. The vessel’s operational history is marked by the challenges of sailing a square-rigged vessel in the unpredictable waters of the lakes, often resulting in weather-related delays.

The vessel’s final voyage coincided with the infamous Peshtigo Fire and Great Chicago Fire in October 1871, both of which created dense smoke across the Midwest and out over Lake Michigan. The Peshtigo Fire remains the deadliest wildfire in American history, but was overshadowed in public memory by the destruction in Chicago.

Final Disposition

In the early hours of October 7, 1871, while navigating through heavy smoke and a gale near Rawley Point, Lake Michigan, the MAJOR ANDERSON became disoriented due to low Visibility and rough conditions. The vessel’s captain made a navigational error, inadvertently steering the ship directly into shore about 3 miles north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

While the crew managed to swim to safety, the vessel became embedded in the quicksands of Rawley Point. The intense gale prevented any immediate salvage efforts. After the storm subsided, attempts were made to pull the vessel free, but it remained stuck. Eventually, its Deck machinery and rigging were salvaged, but the Hull was left to deteriorate in the shifting sands.

Discovery and Archaeological Significance

In 2013, the wreck of the MAJOR ANDERSON was rediscovered by Suzze Johnson, a local ultralight pilot, who noticed the outlines of the wreck while flying along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program conducted an official recording of the site that same year.

The site was subsequently listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, recognizing its historical and archaeological significance.

Condition of the Wreck

The wreck lies in 6 to 13 feet of water near Molash Creek. Although the Deck planking and transom are missing, much of the vessel’s lower Hull, Deck beams, cargo hatches, and Centerboard remain intact. The shifting sands at Rawley Point periodically cover and uncover different parts of the wreck, providing a dynamic underwater archaeological site.

Recent Research

In 2022, the site was revisited as part of a project led by Nancy Foster Scholar and East Carolina University PhD candidate Allyson Ropp, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary (WSCNMS). The research involved gathering photographic data and water quality data to better understand the wreck’s condition and its environmental context within the broader ecosystem of Rawley Point.

Located By & Date Found

• Discovered: 2013 by Suzze Johnson
• Recorded: 2013 by the Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places: 2014

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. The wreck is in shallow water but poses no navigational hazard. It is a protected archaeological site under state and federal preservation laws.

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program
• National Register of Historic Places – MAJOR ANDERSON Listing
• Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Featuredby NOAA – Wreck Wed. 12 Feb 25

Conclusion

The MAJOR ANDERSON‘s story is a compelling example of the difficulties faced by square-rigged vessels on the Great Lakes and the hazards of navigating during extreme environmental conditions. The vessel’s loss in 1871 amidst the backdrop of the Peshtigo Fire and Great Chicago Fires reflects the interplay between natural disasters and maritime history. Its rediscovery in 2013 and subsequent archaeological documentation highlight the ongoing efforts to preserve and study the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.