Fishing tug ran ashore 116 years ago after breaking propeller on a Lake Huron reef

ALPENA TOWNSHIP, MI – This fishing tug sank in Lake Huron 116 years ago after breaking its propeller on a reef.

On Sept. 19, 1908, the William Maxwell got too close to the reef extending from the southeast end of Thunder Bay Island near Alpena, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shared on Facebook, marking the anniversary of the wreck. Its propeller broke on the rocks, and it ran ashore. The tug broke apart.

Today, only the stern deadwood, shaft and broken propeller remain on the reef, the post said. The wreck rests under just 12 feet of water.

It's among "many shallow wrecks in the sanctuary that offer great topside visibility whether by boat, paddle or snorkel," officials said.

Find this wreck at GPS coordinates N45° 01.990' W83° 11.493'.