The Tubal Cain is one of the 36 historic shipwreck sites located within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, which was designated in 2021. This sanctuary, co-managed by NOAA and the state of Wisconsin, provides stewardship for maritime heritage in Lake Michigan. The inclusion of sites like the Tubal Cain within the sanctuary expands opportunities for research, resource protection, and education, and helps promote recreation and heritage tourism on a national stage.
The Tubal Cain: A Barque's Brief Life and Enduring Wreck
Nestled beneath the waves of Lake Michigan lies the Tubal Cain, a barque built in 1866 whose brief but eventful life—and dramatic demise in 1867—offer a compelling window into 19th-century maritime history, now preserved and studied within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
The Tubal Cain was a 1866-built canal barque that sank in Lake Michigan on November 26, 1867, near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, after grounding on a sandy point during a heavy fog and southeast gale while en route to Milwaukee with a cargo of wheat. All crew members survived the initial grounding, but a subsequent strong northeast gale washed away the upper works of the vessel. The Tubal Cain's wreckage was discovered in 2016 and lies relatively intact from the hull up to the deck beams, 8 to 10 feet of water.
Vessel Details
- Type: Barque-rigged sailing canaller
- Built: 1866 in Detroit, Michigan
- Tonnage: 294 tons
- Length: 137 feet
- Cargo: 18,000 bushels of wheat
The Wreck
- Date: November 26, 1867
- Location: Near Rawley Point, just south of Two Rivers, Wisconsin
- Cause: A combination of heavy fog, rain, and "careless navigation" led to the vessel grounding on the point.
- Aftermath: A strong northeast gale that same evening washed away the vessel's cabin. The Tubal Cain became deeply embedded in the "quicksand" of the point, settling into the sand so deeply that its decks were fully submerged.
- Salvage: Most of the anchors and rigging were salvaged before the ship was declared a total loss.
Modern Status
- Discovery: The wreck was rediscovered in 2016 by a powered parachute pilot.
- Preservation: The wreck's location on the sandy lakebed has protected it, leading to its excellent structural preservation up to the deck beams. The remains are listed on the State Register of Historic Places.
- Accessibility: The wreck is located about 300 feet from shore in 7 to 10 feet of water, making it an easily accessible site for divers.
For more information visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/wisconsin/
