Schooner Pathfinder: Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Resting in just 15 feet of water off Rawley Point, the remarkably preserved wreck of the schooner Pathfinder lost during a fierce gale and snowstorm in 1886 has become a historic underwater attraction, drawing divers and snorkelers since its discovery in 2013 and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

The schooner Pathfinder, wrecked in 1886 near Two Rivers after a brutal gale and snowstorm, now rests in shallow waters off Rawley Point, where its remarkably preserved remains discovered in 2013 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015draw divers and snorkelers to this historic Lake Michigan shipwreck site.

The schooner Pathfinder was wrecked near Two Rivers in 1886 after being caught in a severe gale and snowstorm, becoming ice-bound and breaking its towline. The vessel ran aground in a bed of quicksand north of Rawley Point, causing its total loss despite no lives being lost. The Pathfinder rests in approximately 15 feet of water, with its bow and much of the hull preserved in the quicksand, making it a popular site for divers and snorkelers. The wreck was discovered in 2013 by pilot Suzze Johnson and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
 

Key Facts

  • Date of Wreck: November 17, 1886 
  • Location: North of Rawley Point, near Two Rivers, in Lake Michigan 
  • Cause: A severe gale and snowstorm that caused the vessel to become ice-bound and break its towline. 
  • Vessel: A schooner 
  • Cargo: 1,200 tons of iron ore 
  • Outcome: All crew members were safely rescued, but the vessel was a total loss due to its cargo and the quicksand. 
  • Current State: The ship rests in about 15 feet of water in a bed of quicksand, with the bow and lower hull largely intact. 

Discovery and Significance

  • Discovery: The shipwreck was located in 2013 by ultralight pilot Suzze Johnson
  • Preservation: The quicksand helped preserve the structure of the Pathfinder. 
  • Recognition: The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. 

Visiting the Site

  • Activities:

The shallow depth makes it an excellent location for exploration by divers, kayakers, and snorkelers on calm, clear days. 

  • Archaeological Importance:

The wreck offers a unique look into 19th-century ship construction and the economic importance of bulk freight transportation on the Great Lakes. 

For more information visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/wisconsin/