By John Q. Hosedrinker 
After decades of searching, a team led by Brendon Baillod has located the wreckage of the “ghost ship” F.J. King in Lake Michigan. The three-masted cargo schooner sank in a storm in 1886 off Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Using side-scan sonar, the team discovered the 144-foot vessel, which was carrying iron ore. Despite previous unsuccessful searches, the hull remains intact, and the discovery marks another shipwreck find for the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association.
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Searchers discover “ghost ship” that sank in Lake Michigan almost 140 years ago. It’s truly incredible how a vessel could remain submerged for so long and still be recognizable. Lake Michigan, it seems, acts like a giant time capsule, preserving these remnants of the past. It’s almost unfathomable to think about this “ghost ship” sitting unseen for over a century, a silent witness to the passage of time.
The Door Peninsula, where the ship met its fate, earned its name “Death’s Door” for a very good reason. Lake Michigan can be incredibly unforgiving, and this discovery only reinforces that reputation. The cold, deep waters are a harsh environment, but also one that fosters remarkable preservation.
In a way, Lake Michigan seems to be vying for Lake Superior’s claim to fame by becoming a final resting place from which the dead never fully depart. It’s a sentiment echoed in that classic song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” a tune that undoubtedly springs to mind when we consider these Great Lakes tragedies.
The wreckage of the F. J. King now rests approximately 42 meters, or 137 feet, beneath the surface. While it’s not the subject of a six-and-a-half-minute ballad, the discovery is definitely still pretty darn cool. Thankfully, the crew survived the ordeal.
The F. J. King, a 144-foot, three-masted cargo schooner, built in 1867 in Toledo, Ohio, was designed to transport grain and iron ore. Historical records indicate that the ship encountered a fierce gale off the Door Peninsula on September 15, 1886, while carrying iron ore from Escanaba, Michigan, to Chicago.
Interestingly, the term “ghost ship” has been used to describe the vessel, perhaps because of its sudden disappearance and its enduring presence hidden beneath the waves. However, some might say that since its sinking was known, and its location actively sought, “ghost ship” may be a bit of a stretch.
The conditions in the Great Lakes, particularly the cold temperatures, are conducive to preservation, similar to the waters of Stockholm Harbor. The Vasa museum in Sweden showcases a ship that has been underwater for over 300 years, demonstrating the power of these environments to maintain artifacts.
The Great Lakes, with their size and depth, evoke a sense of an ocean, and sometimes, they are as tempestuous as the seas. Regardless of the name, one cannot deny that they hold a significant place in maritime history.
The searchers who found the shipwreck did call it a ghost ship, possibly because the exact location of the wreck remained elusive for decades. Despite knowing the general area, they had been searching since the 1970s without success, making the discovery all the more remarkable.
The Great Lakes are fascinating bodies of water, rich with history and mystery. For those unfamiliar with them, a visit is highly recommended. And if you plan a trip, Lake Superior should be at the top of your list.
The Great Lakes offer something special to anyone who has lived nearby or traveled to them. Their wild storms, the constant movement of the water, and the history that lies beneath the surface create a unique atmosphere.
The article also brings up an important point: the many shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. With an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks scattered across their depths, it’s a testament to the area’s maritime activity and the dangers that sailors faced.
The discovery of the F. J. King is especially timely, given concerns about the potential destruction of these shipwrecks by invasive quagga mussels, which have been seen covering the wreckage of the F. J. King. This emphasizes the urgency of documenting and preserving these historical treasures. The discovery is a reminder of the rich history hidden beneath the surface of the Great Lakes, waiting to be rediscovered.