Prepare to be amazed by the incredible discovery made by maritime historians Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck. They recently located the wreck of the schooner Trinidad off the coast of Algoma in Wisconsin, at a depth of 82 meters (270 feet). This exciting news comes from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
The schooner Trinidad, built in 1867, had a fascinating purpose. It was designed to navigate the narrow Welland Canal between Lake Erie and Ontario, serving as a “canaller.” Its mission was to transport iron and coal from Oswego, New York, to Chicago and Milwaukee on the western Lakes. On the return journey, it would carry wheat from the prairies of Wisconsin to be traded in the bustling East Coast cities.
Despite its promising beginnings, the career of the Trinidad was tragically short-lived. According to Brendon Baillod’s post on Shipwreck World, the ship was neglected and quickly fell into disrepair. Insurance records reveal that its value plummeted from $22,000 in 1867 to a mere $11,000 in 1878.
Baillod describes the vessel as “little more than a floating coffin” during its final voyage. On May 11, 1881, it embarked on its last journey, sailing along the Wisconsin coast towards Milwaukee. Given its deteriorated state, the crew wasn’t surprised when a leak sprung in the hold. They didn’t raise the alarm, but unfortunately, the breach eventually caused the ship to sink.
Fortunately, all of the crew members managed to escape, except for one heartbreaking loss. The ship’s beloved “mascot,” a large Newfoundland dog, was unable to escape in time and perished in the sinking.
For 142 years, the schooner Trinidad remained hidden from sight until the recent expedition set out to uncover its shipwreck. The team was astounded by the remarkable preservation of the wreck. Not only did they find the anchor and ship’s wheel intact, but they also discovered the crew’s personal belongings, including the dishes they used for their daily meals.
“We were stunned to see that not only was the deckhouse still on her, but it still had all the cabinets with all the dishes stacked in them and all the crew’s effects,” Baillod shared with The New York Times. This shipwreck truly is a time capsule, like a ship in a bottle.
