Meridian (shipwreck) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Meridian (schooner) Shipwreck Site
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake Michigan off the coast of Sister Bay, Wisconsin south of the Sister Islands |
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| NRHP reference No. | 96000294 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1996 |
The Meridian was a type of sailing ship called a schooner. It sank in Lake Michigan near Sister Bay, Wisconsin. This area is south of the Sister Islands in Wisconsin. Because of its history, the shipwreck site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's an important historical place.
The Meridian's Story
The Meridian was built in Ohio way back in 1848. It was a schooner, which is a sailing ship with at least two masts.
In October 1873, the Meridian left Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was heading for Oconto, Wisconsin. The ship was not carrying any cargo at the time. People believe it was going to pick up lumber in Oconto.
Along its journey, the ship ran into a very strong storm. The storm pushed the Meridian off its planned path. The vessel was badly damaged by the rough weather. Eventually, the ship sank beneath the waves.
After it sank, people tried many times to bring the Meridian back up. However, all these attempts were not successful. The ship remained at the bottom of the lake.
Discovering and Protecting the Shipwreck
In 1991, a special team started looking at the shipwreck site. This team was part of the Wisconsin Historical Society. They work to protect old ships and underwater historical places.
Today, the remains of the Meridian belong to the State of Wisconsin. The site is carefully looked after by two groups. These are the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. They make sure this important historical site is preserved.
