After more than a century of mystery and speculation, underwater archaeologists have finally uncovered the long-lost wreck of the schooner F.J. King, a 144-foot vessel that sank in Lake Michigan during a violent storm in 1886. This remarkable discovery, made by the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association (WUAA) and a team of dedicated volunteers, ends a 139-year search for one of the lake’s most elusive shipwrecks—often referred to as a "ghost ship." For those fascinated by maritime history and shipwreck discoveries, this find is both a historical milestone and a testament to the power of community-driven research.

Located near Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin, the F.J. King went down on September 16, 1886, after encountering a fierce gale off the Door Peninsula. Despite numerous attempts to locate the wreck since the 1970s, all efforts had come up short. Over time, the ship became a legend, with local fishermen occasionally pulling up debris in their nets and even a lighthouse keeper claiming to have seen the masts protruding from the water shortly after the sinking.

Led by principal investigator Brendon Baillod, the WUAA team included more than 20 volunteers from across the Midwest. These citizen scientists and community historians joined forces to re-examine historical accounts and apply modern technology to the search. Their efforts paid off in dramatic fashion. Just two hours into their expedition, the team’s DeepVision side scan sonar detected a large object on the lakebed, closely matching the dimensions of the F.J. King. Remote-operated vehicles and divers soon confirmed the find.

“A few of us had to pinch each other,” Baillod said, recalling the moment of discovery. “After all the previous searches, we couldn’t believe we had actually found it, and so quickly.”

The F.J. King was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1867 in Toledo, Ohio, by master shipwright George Rogers. Designed for the grain and iron ore trades, she often traversed the Great Lakes and the Welland Canal. Her final voyage began on September 15, 1886, when she departed Escanaba, Michigan, loaded with iron ore bound for Chicago. Caught in a storm, the vessel began taking on water. Captain William Griffin and his crew worked tirelessly to keep her afloat, but by 2:00 a.m. the next morning, the order was given to abandon ship. The crew escaped in a yawl boat and were later rescued by another schooner, La Petite.

Although Captain Griffin reported the wreck as lying five miles offshore in 150 feet of water, Cana Island Lighthouse keeper William Sanderson offered a conflicting account. He claimed to have seen the ship’s masts above the water much closer to land. Baillod and his team chose to trust Sanderson’s observation, reasoning that the captain may have misjudged his location during the stormy night. They mapped a two-square-mile grid based on the lighthouse keeper’s notes, and within that area, they found the wreck—less than half a mile from where Sanderson had indicated.

One of the most astonishing aspects of the find is the condition of the wreck. Despite its heavy cargo of iron ore, the ship’s hull remains remarkably intact. “We expected her to be in pieces due to the weight of the iron ore cargo, but her hull looks to be in one piece,” Baillod noted. Video footage and photographs taken during the dive show the vessel resting quietly on the lakebed, preserved by the cold freshwater environment of Lake Michigan.

The discovery has been reported to the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Archaeology program. Their staff has already begun documenting the wreck and creating a 3D photogrammetry model. Plans are in motion to nominate the site for inclusion in both the State and National Register of Historic Places. Once officially recognized, the precise location of the wreck will be made public.

This is not the first major success for Baillod and the WUAA. Over the past three years, they have discovered five significant shipwrecks, including the schooners Trinidad and Margaret A. Muir, both of which are already listed on the National Register. Another recent find, the John Evenson, adds to their growing list of contributions to maritime archaeology.

“Finding an historic shipwreck brings with it a great responsibility,” Baillod explained. “People may not think twice about taking an artifact from an anonymous old shipwreck, but once the vessel has a name, a story and links to the community, it becomes a part of the community’s history.”

I found this detail striking: the blend of historical research, local lore, and modern technology that ultimately led to the discovery. It’s a powerful reminder of how community engagement and persistence can illuminate long-buried chapters of our shared past. The story of the F.J. King is not just about a ship lost to time—it’s about the people who refused to let it be forgotten.

As the wreck is studied and preserved, it will undoubtedly offer new insights into 19th-century shipbuilding, Great Lakes commerce, and the perils faced by mariners of the era. For now, the rediscovery of the F.J. King stands as a triumph of historical sleuthing and collaborative effort, bringing closure to a mystery that has captivated generations.

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