Yes, it is a very comfortable paddle out to the Major Anderson. It is clearly marked from shore during the months of July through September. The buoys are visible from shore.
Major Anderson: Wisconsin's Rare Barkentine Shipwreck
Shrouded in mystery for over a century, the Major Anderson, a bark built in 1861 that met its fate in a dense October fog off Two Rivers Point, lay forgotten beneath Lake Michigan’s surface until ultralight pilots stumbled upon its ghostly remains in 2013, sparking a rediscovery that led to its place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Major Anderson shipwreck in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, was a bark built in 1861 that ran aground on Two Rivers Point in a thick fog in October 1871 while carrying a load of coal. The ship broke up and went to pieces, with some salvage of her rigging and deck machinery, but the wreck remained largely unvisited until it was discovered by ultralight pilots in May 2013. The site was recorded by the Wisconsin Historical Society and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Key Details
- Vessel Type:
The Major Anderson was a barkentine, a sailing ship rig that was unusual for Great Lakes vessels of its time.
- Purpose:
She was built to transport bulk cargo, including coal, lumber, corn, and wheat, which was vital to the regional economy before extensive road and rail networks.
- The Loss:
The ship was lost on October 7, 1871, in a heavy gale and the dense smoke from the vast regional forest fires that included the Great Chicago and Peshtigo fires.
- Discovery:
After years of being forgotten, the wreck was discovered by local ultralight pilot Suzze Johnson in 2013.
- Modern Status:
The site is now recognized as an important piece of maritime history and is protected as part of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
