Yes, it is a very comfortable paddle out to the Lookout. It is marked during the months of July through September. The buoys are visible from shore.
Schooner Lookout: Service and Final Voyage
Beneath the shallow waters of Lake Michigan, just over four miles from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the remarkably preserved wreck of the Lookout—a 19th-century schooner lost to a fierce 1897 gale—offers a rare and haunting window into the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
The Lookout shipwreck is a well-preserved 19th-century schooner located in Lake Michigan, about 4.35 miles northeast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. It sank in 1897 after being caught in a gale and grounding near Twin Rivers Point (Rawley Point). The wreck rests in 11 to 15 feet of water, with the bow and lower hull intact, protected by the sand. The site offers a rare opportunity to study the construction and history of Great Lakes schooners and is part of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Wreck Details:
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Date of Wreck: 1897
- Cause of Wreck: Caught in a gale and ran aground
- Location: Approximately 4.35 miles northeast of Two Rivers, off Point Beach State Forest, on Rawley Point
- Depth: 11 to 15 feet of water
- Condition: Partially embedded in sand, the bow and lower hull are well-preserved and intact
Historical Significance:
- Study of Wooden Vessels:
As one of the few pre-Civil War schooners remaining, the Lookout provides valuable data for understanding Great Lakes schooner construction and historical vessel use in the grain, coal, and lumber trades.
- A Rare Find:
The wreck site was buried by shifting sands after a brief salvage effort in 1897 and remained forgotten for decades. It was recently uncovered by shifting sands and remains lightly visited.
Visiting the Site:
- The Lookout is a significant feature of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
- Activities like diving and snorkeling are possible, and the area is accessible for visitors.
You can learn more about the wreck and other sites in the sanctuary by visiting Wisconsin Shipwrecks or attending local presentations by shipwreck locators.
