Father and daughter stumble upon century-old shipwreck while fishing in lake Michigan

NEW DELHI: Tim Wollak and his 6-year-old daughter, Henley, were fishing on Lake Michigan when they noticed an unusual sight near Wisconsin’s Green Island. Initially mistaken for an octopus by young Henley, it turned out to be a previously undiscovered shipwreck from 1871.According to CNN affiliate WLUK, the duo, residing in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, often spend time together fishing. While Tim fishes, Henley enjoys collecting rocks and sea glass. During one of their trips, they came across an unexpected sight near Green Island.The pair were “just kind of driving around” he told WLUK. “And there was.” While Henley initially mistook the unusual sight for a "rare" Green Bay Octopus, her father soon recognized it as a potential shipwreck, reported CNN. “I was surprised I had never seen it before because it’s in an area where people regularly go,” said Wollak, according to WLUK.As they explored the waters, Tim noticed what appeared to be a shipwreck, a surprising find considering the frequented area. Prompted by their discovery, Tim initiated research to identify the ship. No records had previously marked this particular wreck, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society's Facebook post.Seeking further insight, Tim reached out to the Wisconsin Historical Society's Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program. Subsequently, on December 4, crews, along with Upon discovering the wreck, Wollak began conducting research to identify the ship. According to a Facebook post from the Wisconsin Historical Society, no ship had been previously marked in that area.Subsequently, he reached out to the historical society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program to seek assistance in advancing his research.On December 4, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Mike Neal, utilized a remote-operated vehicle to investigate the shipwreck, reported CNN.Their findings revealed a wooden three-masted sailing ship submerged about 8 to 10 feet deep in the water. Though the ship hasn’t been definitively identified, available information aligns with the characteristics of the barkentine George L. Newman, constructed in Ohio in 1855 and measuring 122 feet in length.Historical accounts suggest the vessel encountered its demise on October 8, 1871, amid the devastating Great Peshtigo Fire, the deadliest forest fire in US history. Following the wreck, the crew sought refuge at a lighthouse, salvaging what they could.Over time, the vessel was abandoned, covered by sand, and faded into obscurity until the Wollaks chanced upon it.“I don’t know how we top it,” said Tim Wollak. “I told her I’m pretty sure there’s no one else in her school that has ever found a shipwreck that nobody had recorded before….I guess we’ll just have to fish more and see if we can find more shipwrecks.”This discovery follows the recent identification of another long-lost shipwreck, the schooner Trinidad, built in 1867 and wrecked in 1881, found earlier this year in Lake Michigan, as announced by the historical society in September.The Wisconsin Historical Society plans to conduct a survey of the wreck in spring and evaluate it for potential inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.(With input from agencies)