Discovered: 1886 Schooner Wreckage in Lake Michigan Measuring 144 Feet
The Wisconsin Historical Society has made a significant find in the depths of Lake Michigan. After a century-long mystery, human eyes have finally borne witness to the elusive wreck of the schooner F.J. King.
The F.J. King, a vessel designed for the grain and iron ore trades, sank near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin on September 16, 1886. Built in Toledo, Ohio, by master shipwright George Rogers in 1867, the ship enjoyed a successful 19-year career before its fateful voyage.
The wreck search was conducted by a dedicated team led by Captain Michael Jones. The team's efforts, along with those of citizen scientists and community historians, led by WUAA's principal investigator, Brendon Baillod, have finally revealed the true location of the ship. The wreck was found less than half a mile from where Cana Island Lighthouse keeper William Sanderson described it.
The WUAA's DeepVision side scan sonar picked up a large object, about 140 feet in length, on the floor of the lake. Shortly after, ROVs were deployed to get a better look, while the WUAA's citizen scientists dove into the water. To the team's surprise, the F.J. King's hull was remarkably intact despite its heavy cargo.
Local lore claimed that various fishermen had hauled up pieces of the wreck in their nets over the years, while a lighthouse keeper even reported seeing the ship's masts breaking the surface all the way back in 1886. However, the wreck itself could not be found. Eventually, the wreck became so elusive and sought-after that the Green Bay-based Neptune's Dive Club offered a $1,000 reward.
The F.J. King is the fifth significant shipwreck found by the WUAA and Brendon Baillod in the past three years. It joins the list of discoveries such as the schooner Trinidad, the Margaret A. Muir, and the John Evenson.
All mentioned shipwrecks, including the F.J. King, are already listed on the National Register. Plans are underway to nominate the F.J. King's wreck site for inclusion in the State and National Register of Historic Places. The Wisconsin Historical Society's Maritime Archaeology program has begun documenting the wreck and creating a 3D photogrammetry model.
Finding an historic shipwreck brings with it a great responsibility. As people may not think twice about taking artifacts from anonymous old shipwrecks, but once the vessel has a name, a story, and links to the community, it becomes a part of the community's history.
This discovery is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team involved and the importance of preserving our maritime history. The F.J. King, once lost to the depths of Lake Michigan, has now been found and will be remembered for generations to come.
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