Cornelia B. Windiate
This is one of few fully intact schooners in
the Great Lakes. All 3 masts of this brigantine are
standing. They are not all fully intact but the forward
mast amazingly still has a yard still attached. Although
the bowsprit is broken, the main cabin is still in place
displaying some very intricate woodwork along it's sides and
back cabin wall. The stern sits high on the lake bottom
and the yawl boat rests nicely on her starboard side.
The vessel was built in 1873 by Thomas Windiate at Manitowoc,
MI. and sank December
10, 1875. The wreck lays in 185
feet of water.
Defiance
A 2 masted schooner that sank October 20,
1854 with a cargo of wheat after reportedly colliding with
the
John J. Audubon. The wreck of the Defiance shows
no obvious signs of a collision though.
Dunderberg
This 3 masted schooner was built in Detroit
in 1867. It sank on August 13, 1868 from a collision
with the steamer, Empire State. This
shipwreck is in remarkable condition, standing high and
upright on the bottom. The highlight of this wreck is
it's figurehead that some recollect to be of an alligator. Looks more
like a platypus to me.
John J. Audubon
Carrying railroad iron on October 20, 1854 the John J.
Audubon is reported to have been hit amidships by the
Defiance. The Audubon, a 370 ton 2 masted brig,
was built earlier the same year. May be the reason she
is in such good shape on the bottom. Only major damage
is the obvious split in her bow next to the bow stem.
Loaded with rail road iron she may have hit hard on the
bottom, bow first when she went down.
