The Schooner Dolphin was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is the most recently found shipwreck in the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve. It was discovered in 2021 by Ken Merryman. The Dolphin sank on July 6, 1869, on her final voyage with a load of coal. Her demise was due to a collision with Bark Badger State northeast of Waugoshance Light. The crew was rescued and dropped off at Mackinaw. The crash was just forward of the cat head, which matches the damage on this new wreck.
Stern of the Dolphin
Stern of the Dolphin
Dolphin
Randall Purdy inspecting the Rudder & Half burried Yawlboat of the Dolphin
Cabin & Wheel on the Dolphin
Deidre & Jeff Anastas, Randall Purdy at the Stern of the Dolphin
Wheel and Cabin on the Dolphin
Deidre Anastas & Randall Purdy Exploring the Stern of the Dolphin
Jeff Anastas Exploring the Dolphin Shipwreck
Bow of the Dolphin showing the Collision Area
Capstan on the Dolphin
Randall Purdy Exploring the Dolphin Shipwreck
Sean Putnam Exploring the Dolphin Shipwreck
Randall Purdy Exploring the Dolphin Shipwreck
Hatch on the Dolphin
Windlass on the Dolphin
Bow of the Dolphin showing the Collision Area
Randall Purdy Exploring the Dolphin Shipwreck
Bow Area of the Dolphin Shipwreck
Randall and Sean Exploring the Dolphin Bow
Crosstree of the Dolphin
Fallen Mast on the Dolphin
Crosstree of the Dolphin
Port Side of the Dolphin
The Sandusky is a 120-foot schooner that was built in 1862. The Dolphin has 1 deck, two masts, a square stern and a scorpion head. The topmast lies from the port rail to the lake bottom.
The wreck sits upright on the bottom; the masts lie across the decks and over the side and bow. The starboard anchor is still in place, and the jib-boom is broken off, likely in the collision or when she struck the bottom. The cabin and wheel are intact. The hatch covers are in place but deteriorated, and the yawl boat is on the bottom near the stern.