Lake Michigan ‘ghost ship’ missing since 1886 storm discovered by Wisconsin team

Discovery of a “Ghost Ship” in Lake Michigan

Researchers in Wisconsin have uncovered a schooner that disappeared almost 140 years ago. The vessel, known as the F.J. King, went down during a storm near Baileys Harbor in 1886, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

A Ship Surrounded by Legend

For many decades, the F.J. King was called a “ghost ship” due to its mysterious absence. Fishermen reported catching pieces of wreckage in their nets, while a lighthouse keeper once claimed to have seen the masts above the water. Despite numerous expeditions since the 1970s, all attempts to find the wreck ended in failure.

How the Search Succeeded

A breakthrough came when 20 citizen divers and historians combined their efforts. Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association, admitted the odds were low. Yet, just two hours into the search, sonar picked up a large shape on the lakebed — the long-lost schooner itself.

History of the Vessel

The F.J. King was built in Ohio in 1867. Measuring 144 feet, it was constructed to transport grain and iron ore across the Great Lakes. When the ship sank in 1886, the entire crew survived, though the vessel vanished beneath the waves.

State of Preservation

To the team’s surprise, the hull is still intact. Many expected the weight of the iron ore cargo to have torn the vessel apart, but the wreck remains whole. Baillod noted that an old lighthouse keeper’s description likely guided them to the right spot.

More Recent Finds

The discovery of the F.J. King adds to a series of recent shipwreck recoveries. Earlier in the summer, the remains of the L.W. Crane, lost in 1880, were also found in the Fox River near Oshkosh.