Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Margaret A. Muir (1872)

Explore the well-preserved wreck of the Margaret A. Muir, a three-masted schooner that played a vital role in Great Lakes commerce.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Margaret A. Muir
  • Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Builder: Hanson & Scove Shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length: 130 ft (39.62 m); Beam: Estimated at 30 ft (9.14 m); Depth: Estimated at 12 ft (3.66 m)
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Off Algoma, Wisconsin
  • Original Owners: Captain David Muir
  • Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner

Description

The Margaret A. Muir was built at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, specifically designed for the grain trade on the Great Lakes. Grain was one of the most significant bulk cargoes of the 19th century, and schooners like the Muir were vital to connecting inland agricultural regions with urban industrial centers.

Throughout her career, she operated across all five Great Lakes, carrying a wide variety of cargoes, including coal, lumber, and grain. She was known for her durability and reliability, common traits of schooners from the Hanson & Scove Shipyard.

History

The Margaret A. Muir ended her 21-year career on an unknown date in 1893, reportedly off Algoma, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. While details surrounding her loss are scarce, her sinking was likely caused by typical maritime hazards of the time, such as severe weather, shifting cargo, or a collision. The wreck lay undiscovered for over 130 years until maritime historians successfully located her remains.

Significant Incidents

  • Date Found: May 12, 2024
  • Location: Off Algoma, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. The exact coordinates have not yet been publicly released.
  • Search Team: Maritime historians from the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, including Brendon Baillod, Robert Jaeck, and Kevin Cullen.
  • Search Techniques: The team used historical newspaper accounts to identify a probable search area. A high-resolution side scan sonar was deployed to confirm the wreck’s location, revealing the remnants of the schooner.

Final Disposition

The wreck lies in a well-preserved state, as is common for wooden vessels in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan. The hull and decking remain intact in several areas. Evidence of the vessel’s rigging and fittings suggests that it sank with some of its original equipment still aboard. The schooner’s cargo hold may offer insights into her final voyage, possibly revealing the type of cargo she carried when she went down.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Margaret A. Muir is a prime example of the sturdy wooden schooners that were the backbone of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce. These vessels facilitated the flow of essential goods—such as grain, coal, and lumber—during a critical period of regional industrialization and agricultural growth. Built by the Hanson & Scove Shipyard, the Muir showcases the craftsmanship and shipbuilding expertise of Manitowoc’s storied maritime industry.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”margaret-a-muir-1872″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The discovery of the Margaret A. Muir marks an exciting chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, shedding light on the schooners that once ruled the waters of Lake Michigan. Her preservation and planned nomination to the National Register of Historic Places ensure that her story will continue to be shared and studied for generations to come.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Margaret A. Muir (1872, Three-Masted Schooner)


This restored view from the original glass negative shows the schooners MYSTIC STAR (left) & the MARGARET MUIR in Oswego harbor, New York on Saturday May 7, 1892. The MYSTIC STAR, loaded with coal sank where she is seen in this photo about a week previous. She was lightened by removing her load of coal and raised, the mud she settled in visible on her starboard stern. The ship remained at the pier only to again suffer calamity about 3 weeks later when fire broke out along the waterfront destroying most
Date 1 January 1890
Bruce J. Andrews, Yesterday’s Trails

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Margaret A. Muir
  • Year Built: 1872
  • Builder: Hanson & Scove Shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Owner: Captain David Muir
  • Type of Ship: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
  • Dimensions: Length: 39.62 metres (130 feet) Beam: Estimated at 9.14 metres (30 feet) Depth: Estimated at 3.66 metres (12 feet)
  • Primary Trade: Great Lakes grain trade, though she transported various cargoes over her 21-year career.

Construction and Career

The Margaret A. Muir was built at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, specifically designed for the grain trade on the Great Lakes. Grain was one of the most significant bulk cargoes of the 19th century, and schooners like the Muir were vital to connecting inland agricultural regions with urban industrial centers.

Throughout her career: She operated across all five Great Lakes, carrying a wide variety of cargoes, including coal, lumber, and grain. She was known for her durability and reliability, common traits of schooners from the Hanson & Scove Shipyard.

Final Voyage and Sinking

The Margaret A. Muir ended her 21-year career on an unknown date in 1893, reportedly off Algoma, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. While details surrounding her loss are scarce, her sinking was likely caused by typical maritime hazards of the time, such as severe weather, shifting cargo, or a collision. The wreck lay undiscovered for over 130 years until maritime historians successfully located her remains.

Discovery of the Wreck

  • Date Found: May 12, 2024
  • Location: Off Algoma, Wisconsin, in Lake Michigan. The exact coordinates have not yet been publicly released.
  • Search Team: Maritime historians from the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, including Brendon Baillod, Robert Jaeck, and Kevin Cullen.
  • Search Techniques: The team used historical newspaper accounts to identify a probable search area. A high-resolution side scan sonar was deployed to confirm the wreck’s location, revealing the remnants of the schooner.

Wreck Description

The wreck lies in a well-preserved state, as is common for wooden vessels in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan. The hull and decking remain intact in several areas. Evidence of the vessel’s rigging and fittings suggests that it sank with some of its original equipment still aboard. The schooner’s cargo hold may offer insights into her final voyage, possibly revealing the type of cargo she carried when she went down.

Historical Significance

The Margaret A. Muir is a prime example of the sturdy wooden schooners that were the backbone of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce.

Economic Role: These vessels facilitated the flow of essential goods—such as grain, coal, and lumber—during a critical period of regional industrialization and agricultural growth.

•Architectural Heritage: Built by the Hanson & Scove Shipyard, the Muir showcases the craftsmanship and shipbuilding expertise of Manitowoc’s storied maritime industry.

Next Steps

The Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association plans to collaborate with the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Archaeology Program to:

  • Nominate the wreck site to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Document and preserve the wreck for future study and public education.
  • Promote awareness of Wisconsin’s underwater cultural heritage.

Resources & Links

For further details about the Margaret A. Muir and updates on the nomination process:

Conclusion

The discovery of the Margaret A. Muir marks an exciting chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, shedding light on the schooners that once ruled the waters of Lake Michigan. Her preservation and planned nomination to the National Register of Historic Places ensure that her story will continue to be shared and studied for generations to come.

Margaret A. Muir (1872) by Zach Whitrock on Sketchfab

margaret-a-muir-1872 1893-03-14 07:54:00