Shipwreck Discovery Announcement

The Great Lakes Preservation Society is proud to share the discovery of the William H. Craig — a wooden, three-masted schooner built in 1857 to the Welland Canal’s maximum dimensions (140 ft) for grain and cargo transport between Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Originally built in Milan, Ohio by Ebenezer Merry & James Gay, the Craig served in the trans-lake grain trade before shifting to the booming iron ore trade out of Escanaba, Michigan after the Civil War.

She was lost in November 1869, stranded on Peninsula Point Reef while carrying 468 tons of ore. Thought gone forever, her remains have now been located in 10–20 feet of water about a mile south of Peninsula Point Lighthouse — including two large hull sections strewn with raw iron ore.

Coordinates: 45° 39.301′ N / 86° 58.199′ W
An excellent site for divers, kayakers, and history enthusiasts — visible from the surface in calm conditions!

This find adds a new chapter to the maritime history of Lake Michigan and underscores the importance of preserving our underwater heritage.

added to the SLD database – https://shotlinediving.com/docs/william-h-craig-1857/

#GreatLakesPreservationSociety #ShipwreckDiscovery #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeHeritage #WilliamHCraig #LakeMichigan