ALPENA, MI – The remains of a 19th century double-masted schooner rest under just seven feet of water in Lake Huron.

The Maid of the Mist met its fate during a powerful storm on Sept. 25, 1878, according to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena. The vessel was waiting to load cedar posts when it encountered a strong gale off Huron Beach just north of Thunder Bay.

Sanctuary officials report that the small ship dragged its anchor during the storm and ran aground, causing its keel to break. The 147-year-old wreckage now lies in three distinct pieces, all buried deep in the sand.

Visitors can view a large section of the bow and pieces of both sides of the vessel at GPS location N45° 06.971′ W 83° 19.044′. The shallow depth makes this shipwreck particularly accessible compared

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