Copper Harbor in Keweenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Shipwreck

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2017

1. Shipwreck Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Near this site in September 1844, the John Jacob Astor was driven upon the rocks by gale-swept seas.

Every assistance was rendered by the officers and men of Fort Wilkins. They kept up fires as nigh the Shore as they could… and watched for us all night, though completely drenched in the rain and by the Surf and Spray flying over them.
Captain Benjamin Stannard, Shipmaster, 1844

Turned about and stuck fast with two feet of water in her hold, the 78-foot Astor bore the full force of nature. Efforts to free her failed and in February she broke apart. Today, the rocky shoreline is still known as “Astor Point.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1844.

Location. 47° 28.066′ N, 87° 51.951′ W. Marker is in Copper Harbor, Michigan, in Keweenaw County. Marker can be reached from Fanny Hoe Creek, 0.1 miles north of U.S. 41. Marker is mounted in a kiosk along the Copper Harbor trail in Astor Shipwreck Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Copper Harbor MI 49918, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Copper Harbor Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); "A Rallying Point for Copper Adventurers" (here, next to this marker); Life on the Astor (a few steps from this marker); "You will call her the John Jacob Astor." (a few steps from this marker); "The Astor will never leave Copper Harbor." (a few steps from this marker); The Estivant Pines (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fort Wilkins State Park and Historic Complex (approx. 1.1 miles away); Copper Harbor (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Copper Harbor.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The John Jacob Astor Shipwreck

Also see . . . John Jacob Astor (1835, Schooner). Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library website entry (Submitted on September 6, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Shipwreck Marker Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2017

2. Shipwreck Marker Kiosk

Copper Harbor and <i>John Jacob Astor</i> Shipwreck site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 2, 2017

3. Copper Harbor and John Jacob Astor Shipwreck site

(view from boardwalk just north of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 28, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.