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PRESQUE ISLE, MI – Two ships traveling up Lake Huron collided 156 years ago today. One of them sank with all hands onboard.
The schooner Persian sank on or around Sept. 16, 1868, after a collision with schooner E.B. Allen, according to records kept by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The vessels were rounding Presque Isle when the E.B. Allen, which did not have the right of way, attempted to pass Persian and collided with the ship’s starboard side tearing a hole in it, according to accounts from sailors on the E.B. Allen. Persian headed for shore.
E.B. Allen did not stop to render aid and continued its voyage to Chicago, the crew reported.
Persian did not make land, officials said. It sank quickly with all hands and was not seen again.
The ship was carrying wheat to Chicago.
Sport divers discovered the shipwreck site in 1991, officials said. It rests in 168 feet of water about 42 miles northwest of Presque Isle. The wreck is at GPS coordinates N45° 41.961’ W84° 09.174’.
The E.B. Allen sank three years later after another collision. Its crew was rescued by the other vessel.
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